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Molecular Physiology & Biophysics

Katie C. Coate, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Molecular Physiology and Biophysics

Research in the Coate Laboratory seeks to identify mechanisms controlling the activity and identity of human pancreatic islet cells in health and disease. Our work relies heavily on the use of human cadaveric donor islets coupled with specific genetic targeting of alpha and beta cells, static and dynamic assessments of hormone secretion, bulk and single cell RNA-sequencing, chromatin profiling, immunocytochemistry, confocal microscopy, and transplantation of human islets into immunocompromised mice for in vivo studies.

 

Dr. Coate is a basic scientist motivated by a longstanding interest to decipher the complex molecular, cellular, and physiological mechanisms that regulate blood glucose homeostasis in health and disease. She has received exceptional interdisciplinary training in nutrition science, integrative physiology, metabolism, and endocrinology, with an emphasis on identifying pathogenic mechanisms of diabetes and its pathophysiologic consequences in vivo. Additionally, her unique experience as an educator and leader at Samford University was invaluable for honing her communication skills and cultivating excellence in teaching and service. Collectively, these experiences shaped her scholarly interests and mentoring philosophy.

Dr. Coate aims to integrate her expertise in metabolic regulation with her newly acquired proficiency in pancreatic islet biology to establish a distinctive and impactful research program that leverages advanced genetic, genomic, and physiological approaches to discover mechanisms controlling the activity and identity of human pancreatic islet cells in health and disease.

In 2019, Dr. Coate was awarded a re-entry supplement from the NIDDK that enabled her return to full-time biomedical research at Vanderbilt under the mentorship of Drs. Al Powers and Roland Stein. Since returning, she has made significant progress in updating, enhancing, and expanding her research skills and scientific knowledge to address medically relevant questions related to human pancreatic islet biology.

Our goal is to foster an inclusive and interactive lab environment that values scientific curiosity, personal and professional integrity, excellence in all areas of work, ‘radical collaboration‘,and lifelong learning. If you are interested in joining our dynamic team, please contact Dr. Coate at Kathryn.coate@vanderbilt.edu.