Research

The Dror Laboratory studies how immune cells, metabolic stress, inflammatory signals, chromatin regulation, and beta-cell states shape pancreatic islet function in diabetes.

Pancreatic islet research visual
Central Question

How does the pancreatic islet microenvironment change during metabolic stress, inflammation, and diabetes — and how do these changes influence beta-cell identity, insulin secretion, and disease progression?

Pancreatic islet visualization
Islet Immunometabolism

Studying how immune and metabolic signals interact inside the pancreatic islet microenvironment.

Inflammation and insulin secretion visual
Inflammation

Investigating inflammatory mediators and their effects on insulin secretion, beta-cell stress, and tissue adaptation.

Beta-cell states research visual
Beta-Cell States

Exploring beta-cell heterogeneity and how distinct states differ in identity, function, and vulnerability.

H3K27me3 beta-cell epigenetics visual
Epigenetic Regulation

The lab investigates chromatin regulation, beta-cell identity, H3K27me3 heterogeneity, and durable cell-state programs connected to diabetes-related dysfunction.

Beta-cell states and islet biology visual
Visualizing Islet Biology

The lab connects islet imaging, beta-cell state analysis, inflammation, and epigenetic regulation to better understand diabetes-related tissue dysfunction.

Approach and Methods

The lab combines tissue-level and single-cell approaches to study pancreatic islets from the inside out. Exact methods, model systems, and sample sources should be verified before publishing.

Related Publications
Epigenetic dosage identifies two major and functionally distinct β-cell subtypes
The cephalic phase of insulin release is modulated by IL-1β
IL-1β promotes adipogenesis by directly targeting adipocyte precursors
View Publications

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