eUpdate October 2012
RESEARCH NEWS
A Protein Central to Diabetes Uncovered
UCSF researchers led by Feroz Papa, MD, PhD, have discovered a molecule, TXNIP, which initiates inflammation that leads to the death of the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.
Published in the journal Cell Metabolism, Dr. Papa’s team learned that this protein dramatically increases the amount of stress found in these cells, and their subsequent death causes diabetes. <Full Story Link>
Stem Cell Innovator Wins Nobel Prize
The UCSF-affiliated Gladstone Institutes' Shinya Yamanaka, MD, PhD, has won the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery of how to transform ordinary adult skin cells into cells that, like embryonic stem cells, are capable of developing into any cell in the body.
Dr. Yamanaka's research is helping to fuel the progress being made in diabetes research. Through the power of stem cells, we continue to develop promising cell therapies for diabetes. <UCSF News Center Story>
CLINICAL NEWS
Diabetes Minor Created at UCSF School of Nursing and Honors Legendary Nurse Educator
UCSF will be among the first in the country to educate and train nurses specifically to care for diabetes patients by establishing a new academic minor in diabetes at the UCSF School of Nursing.
To be named after a longtime UCSF nurse, certified diabetes educator, and co-founder of the UCSF Diabetes Teaching Center, Peggy Huang, this program will prepare advanced practice nursing students to sit for qualification exams to become board certified advanced diabetes management.
UCSF DIABETES FAMILY FUND: Public Health Literacy Partnership Features Youth Speaks
The UCSF Diabetes Center Diabetes Family Fund for Innovative Patient Care, Education and Scientific Discovery awarded its first grants to twelve groups of collaborators in May 2011.
One grant recipient, The Bigger Picture campaign between UCSF’s Center for Vulnerable Populations and the community-based arts and youth organization, Youth Speaks, is showcasing the very talented voices of minority youth to raise awareness and instigate social action regarding the environmental and socioeconomic inequities that drive the diabetes epidemic -- and disproportionately affect youth, their families and their communities. <Full Story Link>
DIABETES CENTER NEWS
Diabetes Center Director Speaks at Upcoming Stem Cell Program
In support of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) and the Bay Area Science Festival, UCSF Diabetes Center Director Matthias Hebrok, PhD, will be speaking at a Stem Cell Awareness Lecture on Tuesday, October 23, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Burlingame High School. Dr. Hebrok will be joined by Ellen Feigal, MD, CIRM Senior Vice President, Research and Development. The public is invited to attend this free, educational program. <Event Details>
Join TEAM UCSF at JDRF San Francisco Walk; TrialNet to Screen Relatives of Type 1s
We invite you to join us at the JDRF San Francisco Walk on Sunday, October 28 at the Great Meadow at Fort Mason. We are proud of our partnership with JDRF, a leading funder of type 1 diabetes research across the globe -- including here at UCSF.
At the Walk, our UCSF TrialNet Clinical Center will be screening eligible relatives of T1Ds for autoantibodies that may predict diabetes in the future. With two type 1 prevention trials in place for those found at risk, it is important for family members to be screened.
For more information, contact Kathleen Fraser.
IN THE NEWS
Artificial Kidney Project at UCSF Receives $3 Million in New Funding, UCSF News Center, 10/1/15
San Francisco Becomes Leading Center of Innovation in Health Care and Biosciences, UCSF News Center, 10/4/12
Pacific Islanders, South Asians and Filipinos Have Higher Rates of Diabetes Than All Other Ethnic Groups, UCSF News Center, 10/15/12
CLINICAL TRIALS
The Diabetes Center at UCSF is among the premier institutions for clinical trials of emerging therapies in diabetes. Numerous clinical trials in type 1 and 2 diabetes are now underway.
For a list of all of our trials, visit the clinical trials section of our website, or contact clinical trials recruitment coordinator Kathleen Fraser.
Diabetes Center at UCSF
If you wish to receive more information about the UCSF Diabetes Center’s clinical and research programs, or would like to financially support one or more of these efforts, please contact Suzanne Ritchie at 415-476-6334. You may also visit our donation webpage and/or designate your donation to the program of your choice.
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