Research
Primary Areas of Interest
Islet cell mechanics
From a physical perspective, adhesion molecules and junctions at both the cell-cell and cell-substrate interfaces are necessary for tissue coordination as they serve as the transducers of cell-generated force and mechanical signals.
There is a relationship between mechanics and cell-cell coupling, but how the mechano-environment influences coordinated function within the islet of Langerhans is not explicitly known. Since it is unknown how mechanical forces influence proper function and tissue coordination, there exists a unique opportunity to explore this new frontier of research in the biophysics of the islet.
Beta-cell Coordination
Figure Caption: Confocal microscopy of MIN6 cells (Fluo-4)
Proper Islet Function
Figure caption: Representative confocal microscopy image of an intact mouse islet (CaMPARI mouse).
Biophysics of actin cytoskeletal remodeling
Cells are active and therefore respond to gradients in mechanical cues (e.g., matrix stiffness) by the active remodeling of their cytoskeleton. As engineers, we are interested in the mechanism governing the link between mechanics and active cytoskeletal remodeling.
Figure caption: Rep. confocal microscopy image of F-actin within dissociated islet cells in response to a stiffness cue (Nucleus, F-actin).
Additional research publications are listed on google scholar.
Recent Conference Presentations
American Diabetes Association (ADA)
San Diego, California
K. Vazquez, A. Laurin, D. Horton, R. Benninger (2023), “Influence of the Mechanical Environment on Beta-cell Function and Maturity" poster talk for the 2023 American Diabetes Association Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA.
Structural Biology & Biophysics Symposium (STBB)
University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus
K. Vazquez, A. Laurin, D. Horton, R. Benninger (2023), “Influence of the Mechanical Environment on Beta-cell Function and Maturity" poster talk for the Structural Biology & Biophysics Symposium , Aurora, CO.
Diabetes Day Symposium
Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes | Children's Diabetes Foundation
K. Vazquez, A. Laurin, D. Horton, R. Benninger (2023), “Influence of the Mechanical Environment on Beta-cell Function and Maturity" poster talk for the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes Diabetes Day Symposium , Aurora, CO.
| Underlined co-author names denote student mentees of Dr. Vazquez |
Mouse INsulinoma Cells (MIN6)
Pancreatic Islet
Insulin-producing cells in a high glucose environment demonstrate robust Ca2+ oscillations