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The internationally recognized roster of Principal Investigators and their respective
work has placed the Research Program among the world’s leading
diabetes research efforts.
- Alberto Hayek, M.D.
- Vincenzo Cirulli, M.D., Ph.D.
- Ulupi Jhala, Ph.D.
- Charles King, Ph.D.
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Alberto Hayek, M.D., Professor of
Pediatrics and Director, Islet Cell Research Laboratory, is engaged in
studies with human islets and human embryonic stem cells in efforts to
develop a cell-based treatment, islet transplantation, for patients
with type 1 diabetes. Although still a research procedure, one of
islet transplantation’s significant obstacles to benefiting more
patients is the limited pancreases available. Dr. Hayek’s lab is
actively working on replicating cells in order to increase the
potential pool of human recipients.
ahayek@ucsd.edu
- Vincenzo Cirulli, M.D., Ph.D.,
Associate Professor, is studying mechanisms by which cell adhesion
molecules regulate the development and maturation of insulin-producing
cells (beta-cells) in the pancreas. Ultimately, his team's goal is to
define molecular pathways that can be manipulated to generate new
insulin-secreting cells and/or expand the limited number of these
cells available for transplantation.
vcirulli@ucsd.edu
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Ulupi Jhala, Ph.D., Research Assistant
Professor, is examining the molecular mechanisms by which pancreatic
beta cell enriched proteins called transcription factors, respond to
external signals such as glucose for insulin gene regulation. Also
being examined is the role of these same proteins in the development
and differentiation of insulin secreting beta cells.
ujhala@ucsd.edu
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Charles King, Ph.D., Assistant
Research Associate, is trying to generate insulin producing, glucose
responsive beta cells from either pancreatic progenitor cells or human
embryonic stem cells for human transplantation to treat type 1
diabetes. His team uses a combination of two dimensional
electrophoresis and mass spectrometry to map and identify global
changes in protein expression patterns and monitor the role of
specific signal transduction pathways during cellular differentiation.
chking@ucsd.edu
We graciously thank our
Community Partners in their support with Research at the Whittier
Institute
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Hillblom Foundation
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Juvenile Diabetes Research
Foundation
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University of California San Diego,
Department of
Pediatrics |
