University of Pennsylvania · BiochemistryAlpha Cell Dynamics Lab
Nicolai Doliba · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Research Focus
Dr. Nicolai Doliba's lab at the University of Pennsylvania focuses on understanding the early cellular changes that occur in the progression of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). The research particularly investigates how alpha cells, responsible for glucagon secretion, function in individuals at high genetic risk for T1D and how their abnormalities might influence the disease's progression. By examining cell signaling pathways and energy metabolism, the lab aims to uncover potential intervention points to delay or prevent T1D development.
Type 1 Diabetesalpha cellsglucagoncAMP signalingbioenergeticsinsulin secretionautoantibodiesglucose metabolismislet function
Research Aims
3AIM 01Investigate how altered cAMP signaling affects glucagon secretion in alpha cells.
AIM 02Evaluate the bioenergetics of donor islets to understand metabolic changes in T1D.
AIM 03Analyze the relationship between autoantibodies and early cell dysfunction in T1D.
Skills the Lab Values
cell cultureelectrophysiologybiological assaystranscriptomic analysispharmacologic interventionsglucose metabolism studiesenergy metabolism evaluationdata analysisexperimental design
Output against the department
Publications106bottom 26% of dept.296th of 402
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations4.1kbottom 23% of dept.310th of 402
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.