From bench to bedside: KATP channels and neonatal diabetes

Royal Society Croonian Lecture Whether you eat a whole box of chocolates or fast for the day, the pancreatic beta-cells ensure that your blood glucose level remains relatively constant by regulating the release of insulin from the pancreatic beta-cells. Diabetes results when insulin release is inadequate and blood glucose levels chronically rise. This lecture will describe how a membrane protein pore known as the ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel plays a vitally important role in regulating insulin secretion and show how mutations in KATP channel genes can cause neonatal diabetes, a rare genetic form of diabetes that develops soon after birth, and occasionally also developmental problems. It will also reveal how an understanding of KATP channel function has led to a new therapy for patients with neonatal diabetes. Venue: The Royal Society Start date: Wed, 29 May 2013 18:30:00 +0100 End date: Wed, 29 May 2013 19:30:00 +0100
Source: Nature Network London - Upcoming Events - Category: Science Source Type: events