Olov Andersson, PhD, Assistant Professor
Bridging developmental biology and drug discovery, we use the zebrafish model to elucidate organogenesis and related mechanisms of disease.
We are currently focusing on pancreatic beta-cell regeneration. Increasing the number of insulin-producing beta-cells might prove a better treatment for diabetes, which is at present controlled but not cured by insulin injections. Diabetes is characterized by elevated blood glucose levels, a consequence of insufficient insulin supply and/or insulin resistance. Despite mechanistic differences, both type 1 and late-stage type 2 diabetes feature depletion of beta-cells. Experimental ablation of beta-cells by chemical treatment or partial pancreatectomy in zebrafish and rodents is followed by significant recovery of the beta-cell mass, indicating that the pancreas has the capacity to regenerate. This regenerative capacity could potentially be exploited therapeutically - if the underlying mechanisms were better understood.
We perform unbiased chemical-genetic screens in zebrafish to identify compounds, signals and cellular mechanisms that promote beta-cell regeneration. The zebrafish model is particularly good for studying pancreatic development in vivo. First, the simplicity of its organ structures (e.g. the zebrafish embryo has only one pancreatic islet during the first week of development) allows rapid analysis of cellular changes. Second, zebrafish embryos are amenable to efficient transgenesis and drug delivery.
By using a wide range of techniques, we are investigating three different cellular mechanisms of beta-cell regeneration:
- Induction of beta-cell neogenesis
- Promotion of beta-cell proliferation
- Generation of ectopic insulin-producing cells
In sum, we aim to identify and characterize compounds, signalling pathways and cellular mechanisms that can induce or increase beta-cell regeneration, with the overarching goal of developing new therapies for diabetes.
Group Members
- Jeremie Charbord, postdoc
- Artur Fijolek, postdoc
- Benjamin Liu, postdoc
- Charlotte Mattsson, postdoc
- Linn Rautio, lab engineer
- Tilo Wunsch, postdoc (shared appointment w/lab of Pontus Boström)
Selected Publications
Whole-organism screening for gluconeogenesis identifies activators of fasting metabolism.
Nature Chemical Biology, 2013 Feb;9(2):97-104.
Adenosine signaling promotes regeneration of pancreatic beta cells in vivo
Cell Metabolism 2012 Jun 6;15(6):885-94.
Suppression of Alk8-mediated Bmp signaling cell-autonomously induces pancreatic beta-cells in zebrafish.
PNAS 2010 Jan 19;107(3):1142-7.
Activin B receptor ALK7 is a negative regulator of pancreatic beta-cell function.
PNAS 2008 May 20;105(20):7246-51.
Growth/Differentiation Factor 3 signals through ALK7 and regulates accumulation of adipose tissue and diet-induced obesity.
PNAS 2008 May 20;105(20):7252-6.
