University of Chicago · BiologyExocrine Pancreas Research Laboratory
Scott A. Oakes · Chicago, Illinois
Research Focus
Dr. Scott A. Oakes' lab at the University of Chicago focuses on understanding how the exocrine pancreas, specifically the enzyme pancreatic elastase, impacts the health of insulin-producing beta cells and contributes to type 1 diabetes. The lab investigates the crosstalk between exocrine and endocrine cells in the pancreas, exploring how dysregulation can trigger inflammation and autoimmunity. Their research aims to develop new therapeutic strategies to protect beta cells and potentially prevent type 1 diabetes.
pancreatic elastasebeta cell healthtype 1 diabetesautoimmunityexocrine-endocrine crosstalkinflammationinsulin-producing cellstherapeutic strategiespancreas biology
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate how pancreatic elastase affects beta cell health and function.
AIM 02Determine the role of pancreatic elastase in triggering inflammation and autoimmunity in type 1 diabetes.
AIM 03Identify potential therapeutic targets to inhibit pancreatic elastase activity.
AIM 04Study the crosstalk between exocrine and endocrine cells in the pancreas.
AIM 05Evaluate how pancreatic elastase expression can predict type 1 diabetes risk in humans.
Skills the Lab Values
mouse modelscell cultureflow cytometryPCRWestern blotimmunohistochemistryin vitro assayssignal transduction analysissmall molecule screening
Output against the department
Publications114bottom 40% of dept.615th of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations12ktop 31% of dept.323rd of 1,033
this lab
most citedleast cited
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