June 2006 eUpdate
Research News
Combination therapy reverses type 1 diabetes in animals
Dr. Jeffrey Bluestone and collaborators at the La Jolla Institute of Allergy & Immunology and Columbia University have successfully used a new treatment approach to reverse recent onset type 1 diabetes in laboratory animals. Published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, the study combined two therapies, an anti-CD3 antibody to halt beta cell destruction and proinsulin peptide to protect remaining beta cells from autoimmune destruction.
Diabetes Center scientist zeros in on obesity genes
Christian Vaisse, MD, PhD, often called UCSF’s “Human Obesity Gene Sleuth”, has identified several mutated genes that are responsible for extreme obesity that can often lead to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
The Diabetes Center in the News
Diabetes Center Islet Transplant Success on KCBS
Thanks to our generous donors and supporters, UCSF is the home of a state-of-the-art islet transplantation facility, one of only a few in the country. Recently, KCBS in San Francisco aired a story on UCSF’s islet transplantation program, featuring Ivan Barriga, one of UCSF’s transplant recipients and interviews with UCSF's Dr. Jeffrey Bluestone and Dr. Andrew Posselt. The story follows on a movingly reported story by Dr. Kim Mulvihill on KPIX two months ago.
'Countdown' highlights Diabetes Center tolerance research
Dr. Bluestone and his research collaborators are featured in a recent issue of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s magazine, Countdown.
News & Notes
Diabetes Center Director elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences
The Diabetes Center congratulates Dr. Jeffrey A. Bluestone on his recent appointment to the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Sciences, joining the world’s leading scientists, scholars, artists, business leaders and public policy experts.
Justine K. Schreyer Endowed Chair in Diabetes Research
Dr. Michael German has been appointed to this new chair, which was generously funded through donations from long-time UCSF volunteer leader, Chara Schreyer and her Kadima Foundation
Clinical Trials News
Interested in clinical trials of type 1 or type 2 diabetes? The Diabetes Center at UCSF is among the premier institutions for clinical trials of emerging therapies in diabetes. No less than ten clinical trials are now underway! Visit the Clinical Trials section of our website for more information, or contact Kathleen Fraser, our Clinical Trials Recruitment Coordinator at kfraser@diabetes.ucsf.edu.