Photo: Alberto Brihuega
In her doctoral dissertation, MSc Laura Martin Diaz investigates how the protein Scinderin (SCIN), which helps remodel the cell’s internal scaffolding, supports the production and release of two key blood‑sugar–regulating hormones: GLP‑1 from the intestine and insulin from the pancreas. The research shows that SCIN is essential for the formation of hormone‑containing granules inside cells and for maintaining healthy hormone levels and secretion in response to glucose. Without SCIN, cells produce fewer hormone granules, struggle to release hormones properly, resulting in impairment of blood‑sugar control. These findings deepen our understanding of how hormone production is regulated at the cellular level and could ultimately help guide new treatments for diabetes and other metabolic diseases.
The doctoral dissertation of MSc Laura Martin Diaz in the field of biosciences titled From actin remodeling to glucose homeostasis: a journey through the intestine and pancreas will be publicly examined at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology at Tampere University on 5 June 2026.
The Opponent will be Associate Professor Olof Idevall-Hagren from Uppsala University in Sweden. The Custos will be Docent Keijo Viiri from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University.