Our lab uses cellular and animal models – combined with advanced genomic tools – to obtain better understanding of the processes that lead to islet formation during embryonic development, and applies these findings to improve the differentiation of pluripotent cells into functional, transplantable islets. In addition, we use tools from the field of developmental biology to study how the immune attack that leads to type 1 diabetes gradually progresses from its onset until the complete destruction of pancreatic ß-cells.