Dr. Jenny Bruin

Biography

Jenny Bruin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at Carleton University. Her research primarily focuses on the pathogenesis of diabetes, specifically examining insulin-secreting beta cells within endocrine pancreatic cell clusters known as islets. Dr. Bruin's work investigates how environmental factors affect the development of the endocrine pancreas during both fetal and adult life stages, especially under metabolic stress conditions. Her lab employs a wide range of experimental approaches, utilizing both in vivo and in vitro techniques. In vivo studies feature mouse models of diabetes, including type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as genetically modified mouse models and islet transplantation methods. In vitro studies involve differentiating human pluripotent stem cells into pancreatic lineage cells, cultural isolation of pancreatic islets, and utilizing immortalized cell lines for research on beta cell toxicity from environmental toxicants. Dr. Bruin is dedicated to mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in her lab, fostering research in several ongoing projects around xenobiotic metabolism enzymes and their impact on pancreatic islet function and development.

Research Interests

Experience