Richard Cox, PhD
Assistant Professor,
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Featured in the Session: It’s Not Up for Debate: Paracrine Signaling Is Critical in Shaping Insulin Secretion
When
Saturday, June 6
at 3:15 p.m. CT
Where
356 (Level 3)
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
What is your presentation about?
Understanding the islet as a coordinated circuit is key to unlocking new insights into diabetes pathophysiology. I will detail how delta cells act as critical gatekeepers, using paracrine signaling to integrate systemic cues and fine-tune beta cell function. I will highlight pivotal studies that position delta cells at the center of islet communication, offering a fresh perspective on the regulatory failures that impact glycemia.
How do you hope your presentation will impact diabetes research or care?
The delta cell is often ignored and understudied for practical reasons or bias towards beta cell-centric views. By highlighting its role as a critical integration hub for nutrient and hormonal cues, I hope to encourage a more holistic approach to islet biology research. This shift is essential for developing precision therapies that target the signaling defects contributing to both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
How did you become involved with this area of diabetes research or care?
My focus shifted naturally through a data-driven process while investigating how leptin modulates beta cell function. The results consistently pointed toward a more complex intermediary, and these findings, along with emerging literature, made it clear that the delta cell was instrumental to islet feedback loops. Following those questions has led me to redefine how we view intra-islet communication and its impact on systemic metabolism.