|
Mark A. Atkinson, Ph.D.
The research program of Dr.
Atkinson is broad in scope, but is ultimately directed
at identifying a prevention and/or cure for insulin
dependent (juvenile) diabetes. Key to achieving
this goal is an improved understanding of the interactions
between environmental, immunologic and genetic factors
that underlie the inability to form immunological
tolerance to the insulin secreting pancreatic beta
cells. In order to achieve this goal, three avenues
of research are actively pursued. The first is that
of identifying potential environmental agents that
may either directly initiate or modify the progression
towards diabetes. The second involves immunogenetics;
identifying abnormalities in the humoral and cellular
immune response which in association with genetic
susceptibility, influence the progression to disease.
It is hoped that these factors may be utilized as
markers for predicting future cases of diabetes.
Finally, the laboratory seeks to directly define
methods for disease prevention in non-diabetic subjects
identified to be at increased risk for the disease
or diabetic subjects through pancreatic transplantation
in association with novel forms of immunotherapy.
For more information, go to Dr. Atkinson's website
at: www.pathology.ufl.edu/~atkinson/
Michael Clare-Salzler, M.D.
Dr. Clare-Salzler's research
focus is to establish the cellular, molecular, and
genetic basis for the immunpathogenesis of juvenile
or type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune endocrine
diseases. He has concentrated his efforts on the
role of antigens such as glutamate decarboxylase
(GAD) and the biology of antigen presenting cells
as it relates to the generation of protective and
pathogenic immune responses in an animal model of
type 1 diabetes, the non-obese diabetic mouse (NOD)
as well as in humans with an established high risk
of this disease.
For more info, go
to Dr Clare-Salzler's website at www.pathology.ufl.edu/~salzler/
Ammon B. Peck, Ph. D
In the area of diabetes, Dr.
Peck's interests are three-fold. First, identifying
the immunological mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis
of immune-mediated diabetes, or type 1 diabetes;
second, identifying the immunological versus the
physiological factors underlying autoimmune Sjogren's
syndrome, a possible complication of diabetes; and
third, understanding the embryogenesis of islet
and islet cell development with the goal of being
able to control stem cell to beta cell differentiation.
For more info, go to Dr. Peck's website at
www.pathology.ufl.edu/~peck/
Desmond Schatz, MD
Dr. Schatz's multidisciplinary
research group has focused on the unraveling of
the immunogenetics and etiology of the disease both
in animal models of IDDM and humans, and the identification
of at-risk subjects. Such enhanced understanding
of the natural history of the prediabetic period
has made the quest for prevention an increasingly
possible reality. The long prodromal prediabetic
phase of the disease has enabled us to institute
antigen based therapies which may interrupt the
causal disease process. Together we are seeking
to determine possible immunological mechanisms of
potentially protective effects of insulin. These
endeavors will enable us to define at risk subjects,
learn more about the natural history of the prediabetic
period and hopefully institute preventative therapy.
William Winter, MD
Research interests include
unusual forms of early-onset insulinopenic diabetes
melllitus occurring in minorities; type 2 diabetes
mellitus in obese adolescents; mutations in glucokinase,
the HNF genes, and mitochondrial DNA and their relationship
to diabetes mellitus.
|
