Thorn Lab

Our lab is at the forefront of modern imaging methods that are revealing some of the defects in insulin secretion.

Our work has a broad interest in what is called stimulus-secretion coupling. This is a process where cells respond to stimulation by secreting. For example, the pancreas, which has specialist cells called beta cells, secretes insulin and changes in the insulin secretion causes diabetes.

Our work deals with the treatment of diabetes, a serious disease which leads to an imbalance in blood sugar levels and is associated with complications such as kidney damage, blindness and cardiovascular disease.

There are two forms of diabetes:                     

1. Type 1 usually develops in younger people and is mainly treated with injection of insulin
2. Type 2 diabetes usually develops in older people and is often treated with drugs

Our research aims to develop new treatments for dealing with diabetes.

1. Understanding the structure and functions that control insulin secretion within islets
2. Understanding the defects in insulin secretion that occur in disease
3. Refining cell-based therapies to cure diabetes