CURRENT RESEARCH CYCLE
Researchers 2008-2010

Dr. Mina Peshavaria – University of Vermont, $99,999
Dr. Peshavaria suggests that growth, proliferation and survival of Beta-cells can occur in the presence of decreased insulin signaling, and outside of the conventional glucose/insulin pathway. This suggests that there must be an alternate signaling mechanism. The goal of Dr. Peshavaria’s research is to investigate this alternate pathway.

Dr. Matthias Hebrok – University of California, San Francisco, $100,000
Dr. Hebrok intends to identify the missing signals that direct beta-cell maturation. This will be done through work on molecules and growth factors critical to Beta-call development and differentiation. He also plans to test differentiation capability of induced pluripotent stem cells to functional beta-cells based on optimizing existing protocols for embryonic stem cells.

Dr. Soumitra Ghosh – Medical College of Wisconsin, $78,190
Dr. Ghosh looks to identify and verify a new specific cell marker to allow better separation of T-cell lines. This will allow for better isolation of regulatory T-cells in humans making the research and development of potential cures easier.

Dr. Nika Danial – Dana Farber Cancer Institute, $169,950
Dr. Danial will test phosphomimetic strategies in cellular and animal models in an attempt to demonstrate an effective approach for improved engraftment and efficiency of diabetes reversal.

Dr. David Warburton – Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles, $125,000
Dr. Warburton is researching whether or not amniotic fluid stem cells can survive/replicate/repair a damaged pancreas. This knowledge will allow him to evaluate what happens when AFS cells are placed into a damaged pancreas in a mouse model.

Dr. Zhongmin Alex Ma – Mount Sinai School of Medicine, $125,000
The researcher is looking to better understand the factors which signal Beta-cell expansion in order to develop a cure.

Dr. Dorris Stoffers – University of Pennsylvania, 137,500
Dr. Stoffers will test the idea that B-cell depletion prevents transplant rejection and can be accomplished via modulation of B-lymphocyte survival factor. Dr. Stoffers also aims to test how impaired Beta-cell development and increased cell death promote autoimmune destruction.

Dr. Govindarajan Rajagopalan – Mayo Clinic Rochester, $252,628
Dr. Rajagopalan believes that based on research on Celiac Disease and Dematitis Herpetiformis, gluten may have a role in the development of Type 1 diabetes. The will use mouse models to investigate the role of gluten in Type 1 development. He hopes to test the ability of “oral tolerance” regimens developed for Celiac Sprue in preventing Type 1 diabetes.

Dr. Klearchos Papas – University of Minnesota, $50,000
Dr. Papas is doing research on Type 1 reversal using porcine islet transplants. He has currently had success in this technique with primate models.

Dr. Lawrence Chan - Baylor College of Medicine, $300,000
Dr. Chan’s project proposes the use of gene therapy to produce new islet cells. In NOD mice they have successfully coaxed liver cells to become B cells. They have identified the gene for a protein whose duty is to instruct cells in early embryonic development to become pancreatic islet cells. This gene once delivered in the liver of diabetic mice coaxed liver cells to form pancreatic cells inside the liver producing insulin with all the same components and integrity of normal functioning beta cells.

Dr. Denise Faustman - Massachusetts General Hospital, $1,822,623
Ongoing support of basic research in Dr. Denise Faustman’s lab at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Type 2 Diabetes – Intervention and Prevention - One Project
Harvard School of Public Health – $250,000
 Boston, MA
Partnership with The Gilbert Foundation, California
This grant is to fund the development of a coast-to-coast initiative with leaders in the field of Childhood Obesity. The Coast to Coast Initiative to Prevent and Control Child Obesity (C2C) will implement, evaluate, and disseminate a cost-effective, integrated and sustainable approach to prevent and control obesity in elementary and middle school children nationwide. C2C will surround children with coordinated programs and policies to promote active, healthy lifestyles. C2C will include interventions that target three pivotal spheres of influence in children’s lives: Schools, Before- and After-school Programs, and Health Care. All intervention components will systematically involve parents and families, engage community partners, change food and activity policies and environments, and incorporate targeted media tools. C2C was conceived and will be carried out by a multi-disciplinary team of experts from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH), the University of California at Berkeley Center for Weight and Health (UCB-CWH), Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. (MPR), Samuels and Associates (SA), and WGBH, Boston’s Public Broadcasting Service station.