Amy Middleton

• BSc Hons Physiological Sciences
• Maintenance of intra-islet oxygenation during isolation via novel oxygen microbubbles.

Type 1 diabetes occurs when there is autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing β-cells in the pancreas. Blood glucose levels cannot be regulated and affected individuals become dependent on daily life-saving insulin injections. The research group are developing techniques to allow insulin replacement through islet transplantation. Restoring insulin production promises transformed quality of life and freedom from insulin injections; however long-term insulin independence cannot currently be sustained. The project aim is to reduce oxygen starvation in islet cells, by intra-islet delivery of novel oxygen microbubbles prior to isolation. Increasing viable islets would allow patients to produce sufficient insulin to maintain insulin independence. 

Project Supervisor: Prof Jim Shaw, Institute of Cellular Medicine

Funding Source: Newcastle University