We also host numerous visiting scholars from around the world. Our pancreatic physiology project is aimed at evaluating the function and molecular expression of somatostatins, a diverse group of peptides perhaps best known for their role in inhibiting growth hormone and insulin secretion. We have isolated, cloned and sequenced several somatostatin cDNAs and are now investigating the differential expression of the various somatostatin genes. We also have characterized the factors which regulate pancreatic somatostatin secretion, delineated the direct roles of somatostatins in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and examined target cell binding and specificity of the various somatostatin forms. Our fish growth project is aimed at evaluating the role of somatostatins in the modulation of growth.
Organismal growth is a complex process that integrates a wide array of biological processes.
Somatostatins have been found to influence growth by inhibiting GH release. In our project we are examining the effects of somatostatins on hepatic GH binding and IGF production. We also will determine whether somatostatins play a role in nutritional modulation of growth. Book Sheridan, M.A. 1999. Instructor's Guide for Campbell's Biology, 5th Edition.