Beta cell biology

Module 3: Exocytosis in pancreatic beta cells and its role in type 2 diabetes

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CME Credits: 1.5
Module duration: 1.5 hours
Launch date: Spring 2023 (version 1)
Updated: -
Expiry date: March 2027
Audience: Diabetes and Metabolism Specialists (Advanced), Endocrinologists (Advanced)

My name is Lena Eliasson and I’m a professor in the experimental diabetes centre at Lund University Diabetes Centre, Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö. We belong to Lund University and I’m an expert in islet cell biology and especially electrophysiology of the islet cell. I also study micro RNAs (miRNAs) but my focus is the pancreatic islets, both the pancreatic beta cells and the pancreatic alpha cells. Here I will discuss how exocytosis is important in the pancreatic islet cells and in the development of type 2 diabetes.

In this module, Professor Lena Eliasson unpicks the complex pathway of events involved in exocytosis within the beta cell – which is critical to sustained insulin secretion in response to glucose. Then, in two additional sub-modules attached to this module, Professors Malin Fex and Erik Renström explore in more detail the roles played by mitochondria and calcium in the exocytotic process.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

Summarise the complex pathway of events involved in exocytosis within the beta cell critical to sustained insulin secretion in response to glucose

Explain the role and importance of mitochondrial metabolism, calcium homeostasis and other circulating factors on beta cell metabolism and function

Examine the links between the changes in exocytosis or exocytotic genes and the potential for a defect in exocytosis to contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes


This module includes self-marked assessments, such as knowledge checks and/or case studies, as well as a marked final assessment, which you can attempt up to five times. To complete the module, you must review all chapters, pass the final assessment (80% pass mark), and fill in our feedback form.


Contributors

Professor
Lena Eliasson
Author, Assessment Setter
Professor
Malin Fex
Author, Assessment Setter
Professor
Erik Renström
Author
Professor
Patrick MacDonald
Expert Reviewer