Prof. Dr. Geoffrey W.G. Sharp

Profile

Academic positionFull Professor
Research fieldsPharmacology,Endocrinology, Diabetology, Metabolism
KeywordsSNARE proteins, glucose-mediated insulin release, pancreatic beta cell, exocytosis

Current contact address

CountryUnited States of America
CityIthaca
InstitutionCornell University
InstituteDepartment of Molecular Medicine

Host during sponsorship

Prof. Dr. Reinhard JahnAbteilung Neurobiologie, Max-Planck-Institut für Multidisziplinäre Naturwissenschaften, Göttingen
Start of initial sponsorship01/05/2001

Programme(s)

2000Humboldt Research Award Programme

Nominator's project description

In his early days, Professor Sharp did groundbreaking work on circadian rythms and on the molecular basis of cholera. He is one of the leaders in the field of insulin secretion and diabetes. He discovered how inhibition of insulin secretion by endogeneous factors contributes to the genesis of diabetes. More recently, Professor Sharp has become interested in the molecular steps leading to insulin release. Since these steps appear to be similar in neurons where they are much better understood, he now will join forces with Reinhard Jahn in Göttingen. It is expected that the adaptation of techniques developed for neurons eill lead to fundamental and novel insights into the ways by which pancreatic islets relaese insulin and thus control blood glucose.