// TAMARA THEINER
Tuluc Research Group
Institute of Pharmacy, Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology
University of Innsbruck
// INFORMATION
Nationality: Italian
Education: Mag. in Pharmacy at the University of Innsbruck
E-Mail: Tamara.Theiner@uibk.ac.at
ORCID
Supervisor: Assoc.-Prof. Dr. Petronel Tuluc
// PROJECT
The role of CaV1.3 voltage gated calcium channel in pancreatic islet cells.
Calcium influx through high voltage gated calcium channels (HVCC) regulates hormone release and cell differentiation in pancreatic islet cells. Insulin secreting β-cells and glucagon secreting α-cells express several HVCC isoforms. single cell RNAseq data demonstrated that CaV1.3 is the highest expressed HVGCC α1 subunit isoform in both human and mouse pancreatic α- and β-cells. Additionally, genetic polymorphisms in CACNA1D gene encoding for CaV1.3 channels have been associated with increased susceptibility for type 2 diabetes in humans. Despite that, the physiological role of CaV1.3 in α- and β-cell function and development remains poorly understood.
In my project we aim to investigate the effect of CaV1.3 deletion on postnatal survival, proliferation and function of α- and β-cells.
Methods: Whole-cell patch-clamp (voltage and current clamp), Immunocytochemistry, primary pancreatic islet cell culture, High-resolution microscopy, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Dynamic hormone release Western Blotting, Capacitance measurements etc.
// INTERNAL COLLABORATIONS