Knock-in mouse model with labeled insulin provides essential tool for diabetes research and drug development

Argiris Efstratiadis, Ph.D.

Directly labels insulin in vivo such that the GFP is restricted only to the cells where insulin is foundAll regulatory elements in the insulin gene are kept intact, so expression can’t be falsely altered by other local factors (like in transgenic mice) Any genetic or environment modifications to the endogenous insulin will be accurately represented by the GFP labelPatent information:Patent PendingTech Ventures Reference: IR 2363

Animal model to investigate genetic and environmental factors that cause insulin level and expression changes Ability to track insulin production and secretion will provide insight into effectiveness of various drug compounds for diabetes treatmentFurther in vivo investigation into insulin-secreting beta cells, which are labeled by the GFPThe labeling of cells that interact with insulin will allow precise extraction of these cells for ex vivo experimentsIdentification of novel proteins that interact with insulin, which may serve as therapeutic targets for diabetes

Argiris Efstratiadis, Ph.D.

USA