Dr. Sarah Tersey is an islet biologist whose research focuses on the role of the ß-cell in the development of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The primary goal of her research focuses on understanding the molecular pathways that play a role in the development of diabetes. Specifically, pathways that include the enzymes 12-lipoxygnease and deoxyhypusine synthase. By using inhibitors against these pathways or creating genetic deletions of either of these genes, Dr. Tersey has shown that diabetes can be prevented. A second major focus of her research is the development of biomarkers that will best predict the likelihood of any one individual’s risk to develop type 1 diabetes. Within this concept, she demonstrated that the dysfunction of the pancreatic islet precedes the onset of type 1 diabetes. This research has changed the standard dogma of the islet as a silent bystander to the immune system, to the new way of thinking – that the pancreatic islet is a major player in its own demise during the pre-course of type 1 diabetes.
University of Virgina
Charlottesville, VA
Postdoctoral Fellow - Diabetes and Endocrinology
2008
Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA
Postdoctoral Fellowship - Neuroendocrinology
2007
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MS
Ph.D. - Animal Biotechnology
2005
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO
B.S. - Animal Science
2000
BRAFV595E mutation detected across the disease spectrum from non-neoplastic urothelium to invasive urothelial carcinoma in dogs.
BRAFV595E mutation detected across the disease spectrum from non-neoplastic urothelium to invasive urothelial carcinoma in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2026 Sep 09; 1-11.
PMID: 42716084
Spermine oxidase promotes oxidative stress during islet inflammation.
Spermine oxidase promotes oxidative stress during islet inflammation. J Biol Chem. 2026 Sep; 302(9):113412.
PMID: 42567516
Microbiome histidine competition mediates dietary control of systemic imidazole propionate.
Microbiome histidine competition mediates dietary control of systemic imidazole propionate. bioRxiv. 2026 Jun 23.
PMID: 42395374
Messenger RNA delivery to islet ß cells using conjugated lipid nanoparticles.
Messenger RNA delivery to islet ß cells using conjugated lipid nanoparticles. Cell Rep Med. 2026 Mar 17; 7(3):102634.
PMID: 41722565
Using animal models to decipher the role of polyamines in the pancreas and ß Cell.
Using animal models to decipher the role of polyamines in the pancreas and ß Cell. Amino Acids. 2026 Feb 12; 58(1):14.
PMID: 41677974
Islet-intrinsic sex differences in inflammatory signaling contribute to autoimmune diabetes susceptibility.
Islet-intrinsic sex differences in inflammatory signaling contribute to autoimmune diabetes susceptibility. bioRxiv. 2025 Oct 07.
PMID: 41279069
The G Protein-Coupled Receptor GPR31 Promotes Pro-inflammatory Responses in Pancreatic Islets and Macrophages.
The G Protein-Coupled Receptor GPR31 Promotes Pro-inflammatory Responses in Pancreatic Islets and Macrophages. bioRxiv. 2025 Oct 04.
PMID: 41256366
The integrated stress response promotes macrophage inflammation and migration in autoimmune diabetes.
The integrated stress response promotes macrophage inflammation and migration in autoimmune diabetes. Cell Commun Signal. 2025 Aug 20; 23(1):374.
PMID: 40836297
The pancreatic ß-cell incretin response is modulated by mitochondrial transaminase GPT2.
The pancreatic ß-cell incretin response is modulated by mitochondrial transaminase GPT2. Res Sq. 2025 Jun 30.
PMID: 40630539
RNA binding proteins PCBP1 and PCBP2 regulate pancreatic ß cell translation.
RNA binding proteins PCBP1 and PCBP2 regulate pancreatic ß cell translation. Mol Metab. 2025 Aug; 98:102175.
PMID: 40451383