BPoD has moved!

BPoD has recently changed our domain name - we can now be found at bpod.org.uk

Please update your bookmarks!

Now in our 13th year of bringing you beautiful imagery from biomedical science every day

Search the archive of over 4000 images

Power Coupling

Nerves between pancreatic endocrine cells modulate their function

23 April 2022

Power Coupling

Around one million islets stand between you and dangerously high levels of sugar in your blood. Islets are groups of endocrine cells in your pancreas that release hormones to control your blood sugar levels – if they’re impaired diabetes can develop. Previous models of diabetes have found changes in the structure of nerves that supply islets. Now, using zebrafish genetically engineered so that their islet and nerve cells fluoresce and can be visualised, researchers investigate whether these nerves play a role in controlling islets. 3D reconstructions of fluorescence microscopy images (pictured) revealed islet nerves (green and magenta) in direct contact (magenta) with endocrine cells (grey), specifically beta (left), delta (middle) and alpha cells (right). These endocrine cells are ‘coupled’ to each other by electrical signals, so activity in one triggers activity in its neighbour. The team found suppressing islet nerve activity reduced coupling, highlighting a key role of these nerves in islet function.

Written by Lux Fatimathas

Search The Archive

Submit An Image

Follow on Tumblr

Follow on Instagram

What is BPoD?

BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

Read More

BPoD is also available in Catalan at www.bpod.cat with translations by the University of Valencia.