Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Neuropeptide Secretion

This research focuses on basic cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying vesicle trafficking and recycling pathways and intracellular second messenger signaling in both anterior pituitary cells and pancreatic beta cells. They are also investigating the cellular mechanisms that control glucagon secretion from pancreatic alpha cells during hypoglycemia.

All projects use a combination of techniques including mammalian cell culture, molecular biology and biochemistry, and quantitative single-cell imaging approaches including immunofluorescence, tracking of GFP-tagged proteins and ratiometric imaging of intracellular ion indicators.