Jenny Bruin
Associate Professor
- Ph.D. (McMaster University)
- 244 Nesbitt Biology Building, Carleton University
- 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6
- Email Jenny Bruin
- 613-520-2600 ext 3656
Current Research
The Bruin lab studies the pathogenesis of diabetes, with a focus on insulin-secreting beta cells, which are located in endocrine cell clusters within the pancreas called ‘islets’. We are particularly interested in how environmental factors impact the endocrine pancreas during fetal development and during adult periods of metabolic stress.
Our research uses a diverse range of complementary tools and approaches. Our in vivo work includes mouse models of diabetes (type 1 and type 2), transgenic and gene knockout mouse models, and islet transplantation techniques. Our in vitro approaches include differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into pancreas lineage cells (a unique tool for modeling human pancreas development), primary culture of isolated pancreatic islets, and tissue culture of immortalized cell lines.
We are currently recruiting highly motivated undergraduate and graduate students (MSc and PhD) to join the lab. Current projects include investigating the role of xenobiotic metabolism enzymes in pancreatic islets, and screening for environmental toxicants that impact adult beta cell function and survival, as well as critical windows of beta cell development.
Selected Publications
1. Ching AME, Hoyeck MP, Basu L, Merhi R, van Zyl E, Crawley AM, Bruin JE. CYP1A1/1A2 enzymes mediate glucose homeostasis and insulin secretion in mice in a sex-specific manner. AJP Endocrinology & Metabolism. Jun 1;328(6):E885-E898 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpendo.00284.2024
2. Palaniyandi J, Bruin JE, Fisher M, Borghese MM, Hoyeck MP, Panagiotopoulos C, Ashley-Martin J. Prenatal concentrations of perfluoroalkyl substances and maternal beta cell function at 7-9 years follow-up. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Mar 25:dgaf143 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgaf143
3. Basu L, Grieco-St-Pierre L, Ching MEA, Stead JDH, Hanson AA, Palaniyandi J, van Zyl EP, Hoyeck MP, McKay KS, van Allen KA, Lee H, Dai XQ, Bautista A, Fadzeyeva E, Mulvihill EE, Yauk CL, MacDonald PE, Mennigen JA, Bruin JE. Cisplatin exposure dysregulates insulin secretion in male and female mice. Diabetes, 74(4):528-543 (2025).https://doi.org/10.2337/db24-0419
4. van Allen K, Gang N, Hoyeck MP, Perera I, Zhang D, Atlas E, Lynn FC, Bruin JE. Characterizing the effects of Dechlorane Plus on β-cells: a comparative study across models and species. Islets, 16(1):2361996 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1080/19382014.2024.2361996
5. Hoyeck MP, Ching AME, Basu L, van Allen K, Palaniyandi J, Perera I, Poleo-Giorgani E, Hanson AA, Ghorbani P, Fullerton MD, Bruin JE. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor in β-cells mediates the effects of TCDD on glucose homeostasis in mice. Molecular Metabolism. Feb 2;81:101893 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molmet.2024.101893
6. Hoyeck M*, Matteo G*, MacFarlane EM, Perera I, Bruin JE. Persistent organic pollutants and β-cell toxicity: a comprehensive review. American Journal of Physiology – Endocrinology & Metabolism. May 1;322(5):E383-E413 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpendo.00358.2021
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