Endocrine Abstracts

This presentation will focus on how my team and I are using state-of-the-art imaging platforms to interrogate multiple rare pancreas biobanks from around the world to develop a clearer understanding of the processes by which beta cells are targeted and destroyed in Type 1 diabetes. I will explore how the Exeter Archival Diabetes Biobank, one of the rarest collections of recent-onset T1D pancreata, has provided unique insights into potential triggers of autoimmunity, details on key immune cell types involved in beta cell destruction, and how beta cells may be fighting back. Our current work focuses on characterising the islet niche in health and disease to help define the ‘root causes’ of Type 1 diabetes and to identify novel beta cell protective strategies.