Endocrine Abstracts

Biochemists have defined a probably complete catalogue of proteins involved in insulin secretion. Similarly, over the last two decades, biochemists and physiologists have defined the physical characteristics of different types of ion channels that underlie normal pancreatic beta cell physiology. What is missing is information describing the ‘wheres and whens’: where are these proteins (i.e. not just for example on the surface of a cell, but how are the single protein molecules arranged) and when do they act? Recently, it has become possible to examine the nano-scale locations, movements and interactions of 1000 s of single molecules inside living cells. We will provide high quality training to the student, to define with the highest possible resolution where the relevant ion channel molecules are in cells, when they interact with other proteins, how they move around, when they are active and address the important question; where and when do these molecules contribute to secretion in neuroendocrine cells?

Declaration of funding

This work was supported by the MRC (grant numbers:G0901607 and MR/K01563X/1) and the Wellcome Trust Charity (grant number: WT092478MA).