Our broad research aim is to understand disease processes leading to pediatric endocrine diseases such as diabetes and disorders of the ovaries and testes. In addition to clinical and genetic studies, we are using cell models based on induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) generated from fibroblasts from patients with endocrine disease. We have mainly focused on making pancreatic beta-like cells, ovarian cells and testicular cells and characterized these cells with omics metods (i.e. proteomics) and functional studies.
insulin-producing cells (red) differentiated in vitro from patient’s hiPSC (day 28).
Among our recent research achievements, we have been successful in making human iPSCs from fibroblasts from several members in MODY (Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young) families, direct these cells towards pancreatic beta-like cells and characterize their proteome (Vethe et al., 2017 Sci Rep). Moreover, we have been using proteomics to define the pancreatic secretome in MODY8 patients (Bjørlykke et al, J Proteom Res. 2015; Ræder et al., Diabetes, 2014).
The lab is funded by Bergen Research Foundation, University of Bergen, Western Norway Regional Health Authority, Novo Nordisk Foundation and is based in the KG Jebsen center for Diabetes Research, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Norway.
