معرفی
Rebecca Hull-Meichle is a Professor and Canada Excellence Research Chair at the University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, where she leads groundbreaking research on the islet microenvironment and its role in diabetes. Her laboratory is based at the Li Ka Shing Centre, and her work is supported by one of Canada’s most prestigious research awards.
Research Interests: Her research program investigates how the microenvironment surrounding pancreatic β-cells influences insulin secretion and survival. She focuses on two major themes: (1) interactions between the exocrine and endocrine pancreas, particularly in cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD), and (2) the role of islet vasculature in health and diabetes. Her lab uses human donor tissues, stem cell models, and transgenic mice to explore how loss of CFTR in ductal cells affects β-cell function and how vascular destabilization contributes to diabetes progression.
Publications and Research Trends: Her recent publications highlight a strong focus on pancreatic morphology, islet-vascular interactions, and molecular mechanisms in CFRD. The integration of single-nuclear RNAseq, ATACseq, and spatial transcriptomics indicates a shift toward comprehensive, systems-level analysis of the diseased pancreas. These studies aim to uncover novel therapeutic targets for preserving β-cell function.
- Scientific Awards:
- Canada Excellence Research Chair in the Islet Microenvironment
Advising and Grants: As a Chairholder, Dr. Hull-Meichle oversees a large, well-funded research program with significant resources—$1 million per year for eight years—enabling extensive training opportunities for students and postdoctoral fellows. While specific advisees are not listed, her lab actively recruits trainees, indicating a strong mentoring component.
Laboratory and Research Team: Her lab operates in the Li Ka Shing Centre at the University of Alberta, equipped for advanced cell biology, microscopy, and genomics. She collaborates with an international network of experts in diabetes, pancreatology, and vascular biology, as evidenced by her co-authorship on multi-institutional studies.
