Role of pH-mediated metabolic reprogramming in β cell failure in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Development of Type 2 diabetes leads to severe health complications that afflict both the quality and the length of life and burden health care systems with direct global spending estimated at nearly $500 billion per year. Type 2 diabetes results due to impaired function of pancreatic β cells, which function to produce and secrete insulin to maintain normal glucose levels. The goal of this proposal is to investigate novel molecular and physiological mechanisms responsible for the regulation of pancreatic β cell function as people progress to develop Type 2 diabetes. In addition, proposed studies will also test a new therapeutic strategy to preserve the functionality of β cells once they are exposed to conditions associated with obesity and diabetes.