Microscopic characterisation of the three-dimensional architecture of islets

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder, characterised by chronic hyperglycaemia resulting from
defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or both. Insulin is produced in beta cells, in islets of Langerhans. The research presented in this thesis, aims to determine the cytoarchitecture of the 3D intact isolated islet by applying different types of microscopic techniques. The immobilisation of a 3D organoid while retaining high quality imaging and flexibility in the experimental set-up is a challenge, and an experimental tailor-made hydrogel for the islet needs was created and validated. For a better understanding of the insulin metabolic pathways for its synthesis, maturation and release, fluorescence timer tags were designed and validated for their use in beta cell lines and pancreatic islets.