Beta Cell Screen

To test drug effects on beta cell function in a Langerhans islet preparation.

• Fast and reliable extracellular recording of beta-cell oscillatory activity with MEA-electrodes
• Determination of drug-induced effects on the oscillatory activity of beta-cells presented as an alteration in the Fraction of Plateau Phase (FOPP)

The assay is based on the recording of beta-cell oscillatory activity which is determined by the blood glucose concentration and in turn, regulates insulin secretion.

The membrane potential (Vm) of beta-cells oscillates at glucose concentrations between ~6 and 25 mM, i.e. burst phases with action potentials alternate with silent interburst phases generating so-called slow waves. The slow waves drive oscillations of the cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]c) and insulin secretion. The length of the bursts correlates with the amount of insulin release. Thus, the fraction of plateau phase (FOPP), i.e., the percentage of time with burst activity, is an excellent marker for beta-cell function and metabolic integrity and can be used as a measure to test for drug effects on beta-cell function and insulin release.