The research interest of Professor Laychock's laboratory is understanding the cellular mechanisms regulating insulin secretion from beta cells of Islets of Langerhans of the pancreas, and the expansion of beta-cell populations to meet the needs for transplantation approaches to treatment of diabetes mellitus. The long-term goal of this work is to improve the survival and function of transplanted pancreatic islets by enhancing islet post-transplantation angiogenesis and beta-cell survival and mitogenesis. Laychock is attempting to establish culture conditions that reduce apoptotic potential and produce endothelial cell and beta-cell growth and organization in isolated islets. This research has direct applicability to islet beta-cell progenitor (stem cell) research since the identification and expansion of beta-cells is a high priority in anticipation of transplantation.
Tian J, Lei P, Laychock SG, Andreadis ST. Regulated insulin delivery from human epidermal cells reverses hyperglycemia. Mol Ther. 2008 Jun;16(6):1146-53. Epub 2008 Apr 22.
Lei P, Ogunade A, Kirkwood KL, Laychock SG, Andreadis ST. Efficient production of bioactive insulin from human epidermal keratinocytes and tissue-engineered skin substitutes: implications for treatment of diabetes.
Tissue Eng. 2007 Aug;13(8):2119-31.
Laychock SG, Tian Y, Sessanna SM. Endothelial differentiation gene receptors in pancreatic islets and INS-1 cells. Diabetes. 2003 Aug;52(8):1986-93.