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Project # 27
Evaluating the Proliferation and Function of Pancreatic Cells to Photobiomodulation
| Team Lead: | Abhidha Kunwar |
| Other Team Members: | Kelli Fowlds |
| Faculty Advisor(s): | Dr. Michael Cho |
| Department: | BE |
| Project Type: | Other Undergraduate |
| Title: | Evaluating the Proliferation and Function of Pancreatic Cells to Photobiomodulation |
| Abstract: | Type I diabetes mellitus is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by the destruction of insulin-producing beta cells within the pancreatic islets of Langerhans. Photobiomodulation (PBM) has been explored for its therapeutic potential, as it utilizes red or near-infrared light to stimulate metabolic activity and facilitate increased ATP production. This study therefore examines PBM's effect on pancreatic cell proliferation and insulin production. Mouse beta cells and glucagon-secreting beta cells were cultured and treated with 810 nm and 1064 nm laser light, varying light intensity, treatment duration, and frequency. Cell proliferation was monitored and assessed using alamarBlue staining at multiple time points after single and double PBM treatments. Nuclei staining and cell counting were performed to determine the average cell density following daily PBM treatment for five days. Enhanced viability was observed in the single treatment beta cells, with significant increases observed at 4 hours and 18 hours post-treatment. Results were found to be independent of the temperature rise of the media after laser exposure. PBM's influence on cell viability and functionality appears to be cell-type dependent, necessitating optimization of the wavelength, laser intensity, and frequency of treatments. Additional studies are underway to extend the in vitro findings to whole mouse islets. |
| Poster: | View Poster #27 (PDF) |
| Judges Scoring: | Submit Evaluation (judges only) |