Studentship

Institution:

School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital

Recipient:

Mr Mayowa Osundiji

Project:

Glucokinase in Specialised Glucose-Sensing Neurones in Brain Plays a Key Role in Controlling Blood Glucose

Summary:

Glucokinase (GK) is a specialised protein used in the pancreas to sense changes in blood glucose. It acts as a “gate” controlling the amount of glucose flowing into glucose-sensing pathways. It is also found in brain areas which sense low blood glucose (hypoglycaemia).
In this studentship, Mayo Osundiji will use pharmacological blockers of GK delivered into brain of conscious free moving rats to examine the importance of brain GK in detecting hypoglycaemia and triggering the body’s defensive responses to hypoglycaemia (stimulation of hunger and release of anti-insulin hormones).
Some patients with type 1 diabetes lose these protective responses putting them at an increased risk of suffering episodes of severe hypoglycaemia.
Mayo will also examine whether blocking brain GK might help restore protective responses to hypoglycaemia.
Finally, he will examine whether brain GK plays a wider role in controlling blood glucose and the sensitivity of tissues outside the brain such as fat and muscle to the glucose lowering effects of insulin. If this is true, brain GK might also represent a pharmacological target for reducing insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes- although probably in this case by increasing the activity of GK.

Amount:

£51,000