Almaca Lab

Research Focus

Research ongoing in the Almaça’s lab focuses on understanding the role of the microvasculature in the biology of pancreatic islets. Islets are clusters of endocrine cells, scattered throughout the exocrine pancreas, which produce and secrete different hormones into the blood stream in response to changes in glucose levels. To function properly, islets need their microvasculature. Interestingly, we still know very little how vascular function is regulated in the islet and how it impacts endocrine cell responses and hormone release. We also do not know whether this “vascular control” is compromised or lost with the development of diabetes.

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