Grant: CIHR Fellowship
University of British Columbia
$90,000.00
The role of ABCA1 and microRNAs in the regulation of beta cell function
FY 2011-12
Summary
Background: Type 2 diabetes currently affects 2.5 million Canadians. Elevated blood cholesterol is associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes. Interestingly, accumulation of cholesterol in insulin secreting beta cells leads to impaired insulin secretion. ABCA1 is a transporter that removes cholesterol from cells, which in deficiency leads to cholesterol accumulation in beta cells.
Objectives: To discover ways to regulate ABCA1 levels in beta cells in order to improve cell function and survival.
Research Project: I will use small molecules called microRNA to regulate ABCA1 levels in mouse beta cells and determine effects on beta cell function and survival.
Relevance: Since ABCA1 has been shown to have a positive impact on beta cell function, finding ways to increase its levels in these cells may be helpful in ameliorating beta cell defects present in diabetes. Thus these studies are the first to outline a therapeutic strategy to modulate cholesterol in beta cells in order to improve whole body glucose homeostasis.
Department
Program
CIHR Fellowship
Recipient
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
CIHR Funding Decisions Database
As published
Id
242406
Name
Wijesekara Nadeeja T
Region
British Columbia
Country
Canada
Orgtype
Research Institution; Institution Paid
Instname2
Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes
Theme2
Biomedical
Prcname2
Fellowships - Post-PhD
Projecttitle
The role of ABCA1 and microRNAs in the regulation of beta cell function
Programtype2
Fellowship Programs
Orgnameinp2
University of British Columbia
Cihramount2
$90,000
Cihrequipment2
$0
Programname2
CIHR Fellowship
Keyworddelim
Cholesterol Transport; Diabetes; Lipids; Microrna; Pancreatic Islet
Abstract
Background: Type 2 diabetes currently affects 2.5 million Canadians. Elevated blood cholesterol is associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes. Interestingly, accumulation of cholesterol in insulin secreting beta cells leads to impaired insulin secretion. ABCA1 is a transporter that removes cholesterol from cells, which in deficiency leads to cholesterol accumulation in beta cells.
Objectives: To discover ways to regulate ABCA1 levels in beta cells in order to improve cell function and survival.
Research Project: I will use small molecules called microRNA to regulate ABCA1 levels in mouse beta cells and determine effects on beta cell function and survival.
Relevance: Since ABCA1 has been shown to have a positive impact on beta cell function, finding ways to increase its levels in these cells may be helpful in ameliorating beta cell defects present in diabetes. Thus these studies are the first to outline a therapeutic strategy to modulate cholesterol in beta cells in order to improve whole body glucose homeostasis.
Competitiondate
201110
Approvedterm2
2 yrs 0 mth
Pinamesdelim
Wijesekara, Nadeeja T
Approvedterm
2 ans 0 mois
Cihrcontribution2
~ $90,000~ $0~
