Research focus:  Advanced Cell Culture Modelling

Current research/role focus: Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are known perpetuators of pancreatic beta cell dysfunction and apoptosis in the progression of insulin resistance to type 2 diabetes. One of the primary drivers thereof is islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) induced toxicity. We are in the process of developing an advanced cell culture model for pancreatic beta cells that more closely mimics the complex pancreatic islet structure. To date we have established several in vitro pathophysiological models in immortalised beta cell lines mimicking conditions in type 2 diabetes, such as hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia, inflammation and acute oxidative stress. We also take strides in advanced cell culture with the introduction of the BAM microgravitational system, which has allowed us to culture beta cell spheroids in excess of 90 days without passaging. These beta cell spheroids form the basis of the development of a clinically relevant cell culture model which will provide an innovative in vitro intermediate between conventional flat culture and the use of in vivo sentient animal models in the advancement of the study of the pathophysiology and potential therapeutic avenues associated with pancreatic islet dysfunction in type 2 diabetes.

Biography: Nireshni began her undergraduate career at the University of Natal, where she completed a degree in Biological Sciences. In 2006 her career at the SAMRC began as a laboratory technician, with post-graduate studies (BSc Hons, Masters and PhD) continuing part-time at Stellenbosch University’s Health Sciences Faculty. Having progressively developed a prodigious repertoire of skills, including in vitro and ex vivo cell culture, molecular biology, immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry, she now fulfills the role of a Specialist Scientist in the rapidly expanding field of advanced cell culture. She is passionate about capacity development and transformation and has supervised several post-graduate students since 2015 and is a SAMRC Transformation Forum panel member since 2016. Being part of a largely collaborative group at the SAMRC, she has been afforded vast international work experience, including at the Vrijë University, Brussels, Belgium, MC2 Biotek, Odense, Denmark, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, and at the Università Politecnica Delle Marche, Ancona, Italy. Nireshni was appointed as an extraordinary lecturer at the Division of Medical Physiology at Stellenbosch University in 2016. At the SAMRC, she serves as Scientific Reviewer on the Ethics Committee for Research on Animals, as well as the Self-Initiated Research Grants Programme.