Research at the University

Profiles of BBDC Members involved in diabetes related research (M - Z):

On this page: M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

M

Mahmud, Farid H., MD, FRCPC
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Medicine (U of T)
Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, The Hospital for Sick Children

Address:	The Hospital for Sick Children 555 University Avenue Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-813-6218 FAX: 416-813-6304 farid.mahmud@sickkids.ca
Research Interests:	As a pediatric endocrinologist who cares for children with diabetes, obesity and other chronic medical conditions on a daily basis, I am concerned about the prospects for their future health. This has driven me to seek answers to some of the meaningful questions that are going to benefit their health and this has prompted me to pursue a clinical research program. My research interests include the study of conditions associated with type 1 diabetes, such as celiac disease and the evaluation of early atherosclerotic risk factors in young patients with endocrine conditions who are at high risk of cardiovascular disease including both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance and obesity. I have conducted clinical studies to identify patients at risk and study the impact of this process on the health of these children. These studies are also evaluating interrelated risk factors for atherosclerosis in these high risk populations and the effectiveness of lifestyle, diet and drug therapy treatment strategies. Specifically we evaluated dietary intake in patients with type 1 diabetes as well as standardized activity assessments which showed high rates of dietary fat intake and inactivity, which worsened during adolescence. As part of my research, I adapted an innovative method to study endothelial function as a marker of early atherosclerosis which we able to evaluate as a reversible indicator of disease with the potential to assess the effectiveness of different treatment strategies on reducing early atherosclerotic changes. Longer term, the findings of this research will be used to develop guidelines for clinical practice, prevention and treatment strategies. It is hoped that the effective translation of this research into clinical practice will help to manage cardiovascular disease risk in children with the ultimate goal of cardiovascular disease prevention.
Publications:

Mandelcorn, Mark, MDCM, FRCSC
Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology (U of T)

Address:	Toronto Western Hospital Suite 6-028, 399 Bathurst Street Toronto, Ontario M4T 2S8
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-603-5885 FAX:416-603-5834 mark.mandelcorn@utoronto.ca
Research Interests:	We are studying signal transduction events in retinal pigment epithelial cells to determine how these cells influence the process of neovascularization in diabetic retinopathy.
Publications:

Matthews, Stephen G.
Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology (U of T)

Address:	University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building 1 King's College Circle, Room 3360 Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-978-1974 FAX: 416-978-4940 stephen.matthews@utoronto.ca
Web site:	Department of Physiology web site profile
Research Interests:	Diabetes and the HPA axis.
Publications:

McIntyre, Roger S.
Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology (U of T)
Head, Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit (MDPU), University Health Network

Address:	Toronto Western Hospital 399 Bathurst Street, MP9-325 Toronto, Ontario M5T 2S8
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-603-5279 FAX:416-603-5368 roger.mcintyre@uhn.on.ca
Research Interests:	Individuals with mood disorders are differentially affected by abnormalities in glucose handling, hyperglycemia, and diabetes mellitus. Evidence indicates that both mood disorders and diabetes are highly associated with neurocognitive impairment as well as changes in brain volume and structure. Points of pathophysiological commonality have been implicated between mood disorders and diabetes and include alterations in metabolic effector systems, immunoinflammatory dysregulation, oxidative stress, and incretin systems. We have coined the moniker “Metabolic Syndrome Type II” to characterize these points of commonality. The Mood Disorder Psychopharmacology Unit (MDPU) is engaged in a plethora of both descriptive and interventional studies that aim to identify the effect of abnormal glucose homeostasis, insulin resistance, and incretin dysregulation on brain structure and function. The MDPU welcomes multidiscipline centre of excellence and research characterizing the psychiatry and endocrinology interface.
Publications:	Kim B, Kim S, McIntyre RS, Park HJ, Kim SY, Joo YH. Correlates of metabolic abnormalities in bipolar I disorder at initiation of acute phase treatment. Psychiatry Investig. 2009 Jun;6(2):78-84. Epub 2009 Jun 30. PMID: 20046379 McIntyre RS, Muzina DJ, Adams A, Lourenco MT, Law CW, Soczynska JK, Woldeyohannes HO, Nathanson J, Kennedy SH. Quetiapine XR efficacy and tolerability as monotherapy and as adjunctive treatment to conventional antidepressants in the acute and maintenance treatment of major depressive disorder: a review of registration trials. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2009 Dec;10(18):3061-75. PMID: 19954275 McIntyre RS. Understanding needs, interactions, treatment, and expectations among individuals affected by bipolar disorder or schizophrenia: the UNITE global survey. J Clin Psychiatry. 2009;70 Suppl 3:5-11. PMID: 19570496

Mighton, Lisa, RN, CDE
Clinical Research Coordinator, Cardiology Research Department
Toronto General Hospital

Address:	Toronto General Hospital 200 Elizabeth Street, 10EN-240 Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-340-5200 FAX: 416-340-4196 Lisa.Mighton@uhn.on.ca
Research Interests:	I am the Clinical Research Coordinator for the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes (BARI 2D) Study, which is a multi-centre, international study investigating patients with type 2 diabetes and heart disease. My role involves research, clinical and patient education related to diabetes and heart disease.
Publications:

N

Nathan, Paul C., MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Paediatrics (U of T)
Division of Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children

Address:	Division of Haematology/Oncology The Hospital for Sick Children 555 University Avenue Room 9205 Black Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8
Phone/FAX: E-mail: Web site:	416-813-7743 FAX: 416-813-5327 paul.nathan@sickkids.ca Hospital For Sick Children web site profile
Research Interests:	Focus on metabolic outcomes and obesity in survivors of childhood cancer, with a particular interest in the metabolic syndrome in this patient group.
Publications:

Ng, Dominic, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine and Institute of Medical Science (U of T)

Address:	St. Michael's Hospital 30 Bond Street, Shuter Wing, 3rd Floor, Room 3-041 Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-864-5197 FAX: 416-864-5584 ngd@smh.toronto.on.ca
Research Interests:	My research lab is primarily interested in the area of genetics of lipid disorders and cardiovascular diseases with special emphasis on high density lipoprotein(HDL) metabolism. We use transgenic/knock out mice as models and our tools include in vivo experiments, ex vivo and in vitro assays at tissue, cellular, and molecular levels. We are particularly interested in using in vivo mouse experiments to examine the impact of various dyslipidemic states and their interaction with other dysmetabolic states like diabetes on oxidative stress, atherogenesis and thrombogenesis. Detailed analyses of these animal models using cellular, molecular and genetic markers will also be carried out to elucidate the underlying mechanism of such disease processes and their interactions. Such genetic models are also used to study the effects of dietary and drug interventions.
Publications:

Norwich, Kenneth H.
Professor, Department of Physiology (U of T)

Address:	Institute of Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering 164 College Street Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-978-6698 FAX: 416-978-6698 k.norwich@utoronto.ca
Research Interests:	Studies on metabolic turnover in and out of steady state. Use of tracers in physiology and investigational medicine. Mathematical models of physiological processes. My current research concerns the various factors affecting the glucose and insulin responses in the oral glucose tolerance test.
Publications:

O

Ohashi, Pamela
Professor, Departments of Medical Biophysics and Immunology (U of T)

Address:	Ontario Cancer Institute 610 University Avenue, Site 8327 Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9
Phone: E-mail:	416-946-2000 Ext. 5470 pohashi@uhnres.utoronto.ca
Research Interests:	The major focus of my lab is to understand the mechanisms of death and differentiation in immature and mature T cells. In particular, an emphasis is placed on understanding the molecular events that direct T cell fate towards either tolerance or activation. These questions are investigated in the context of understanding autoimmunity (diabetes) and tumor immune surveillance in vivo.
Publications:

P

Pace-Asciak, Cecil R.
Professor & Senior Scientist, Department of Pharmacology (U of T)

Address:	Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children McMaster Building, Rm. 6018, 555 University Avenue Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8
Phone/FAX: E-mail: Web Site:	416-813-5755 FAX: 416-813-5086 pace@sickkids.on.ca Hospital for Sick Children website profile
Research Interests:	Drug development in the areas of diabetes, inflammation and ocular disease. We have developed novel compounds based on naturally occurring eicosanoids which have potential in development as therapeutics in the above three indications. We have identified a novel receptor that mediates the activity of the compounds under development and have discovered alterations in this receptor in type 1 and to a lesser extent in type 2 diabetes, suggesting that typing of this protein in pre-diabetic subjects may be important as a predictor of type 1 diabetes.
Publications:

Pais, Vanita, RD, CDE
Clinical Dietitian, Hospital For Sick Children

Address:	Division of Endocrinology The Hospital for Sick Children 555 University Avenue Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8
Phone: E-mail:	416-813-5745 Vanita.pais@sickkids.ca
Diabetes Related Activities:	Project Investigator with Sick Kids Research Institute: Completed research project: Does Dietary Intake of Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Vary with Different Insulin Therapies? – 2008 (Not published) Clinical Dietitian at Sick Kids for the Study: Safety and Efficacy of Exenatide as Monotherapy and Adjunctive Therapy to Oral Anti diabetic Agents in Adolescents with Type 2 Diabetes (Recruitment phase) As a member of a multidisciplinary Diabetes Team: Provide comprehensive and quality nutritional care to in/out patients of the Diabetes Department through detailed assessment and evaluation of patients with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes, Cystic Fibrosis related Diabetes, Dyslipidemia, and other secondary issues. Effectively communicate and provide group and patient/family centered diabetes education. Participate through organization and implementation of the ‘Annual Diabetes Family Day’, ‘After the Honeymoon’, ‘Teen Day’ and ‘Transition Day’ Programs in children and parent groups. Annual outreach work in the Diabetes Clinics of Peterborough Regional Health Centre and Algoma Health Centre (Saulte Sainte Marie) with team of MD, nurse & social worker.
Publications:

Palmert, Mark R., MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics (U of T)
Senior Associate Scientist, Genetics & Genome Biology Program, Hospital For Sick Children

Address:	Division of Endocrinology The Hospital for Sick Children 555 University Avenue Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-813-6217 FAX: 416-813-6304 mark.palmert@sickkids.ca
Research Interests:	I care for children and adolescents with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. I have also been involved in diabetes related clinical research as Principal Investigator of Cleveland's site in the NIH multicentered trial entitled Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes in adolescents and Youth (TODAY), which is designed to identify best ways to treat type 2 diabetes in youth. I was also the Principal Investigator the Clinical Coordinating Center for the NIH/NIDDK funded Epidemiology of Diabetes Intervention and Complications (DCCT/EDIC).
Publications:

Parker, Thomas G., MD, FRCPC
Associate Professor, Department of Medicine (U of T)
Division Head, Division of Cardiology, St. Michael's Hospital

Address:	St. Michael's Hospital 6-044 Queen Wing, 30 Bond Street Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-864-5271 FAX: 416-864-5989 parkertg@smh.toronto.on.ca
Research Interests:	This has involved studies of transcriptional control of gene expression in cultured cardiac muscle, analysis of the molecular response to myocardial infarction, elucidation of signal transduction pathways involved in muscle growth and gene expression, and the identification of novel EF-hand calcium-binding proteins (S100beta, S100 alpha, and calcyclin) that promote or even limit cardiac hypertrophy. We will extend this into the effects of diabetes upon cardiac hypertrophy and the phenotype following myocardial infarction. Specifically, the effects of AGE (advanced glycation end-products), the canonical receptor (RAGE) and S100 proteins in the pathogenesis of myocardial diabetic complications. These latter experiments are funded by CIHR.
Publications:

Parra, Esteban
Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology (U of T)

Address:	University of Toronto at Mississauga 3359 Mississauga Road North, Room 2002, South Building Mississauga, Ontario L5L 1C6
Phone/FAX: E-mail: Web site:	905-828-3889 FAX: 905-828-3792 eparra@utm.utoronto.ca www.erin.utoronto.ca/~eparra/profile/eparra.htm
Research Interests:	Type 2 diabetes is one of the most serious public health issues in Canada and on a global scale. There are striking differences in prevalence among ethnic groups. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes among Aboriginal people is three times that of the general population, and elevated risk has also been described for other groups, such as Hispanics. We have tested candidate gene polymorphisms for association with diabetes in the Hispanic-American population of San Luis Valley, Colorado. Additionally, we are starting a collaboration to apply a novel gene mapping method, known as admixture mapping, to identify genes that increase susceptibility to type 2 diabetes in the Mexican population. This method uses the linkage disequilibrium created as a result of admixture between previously isolated populations to map disease genes. The advantage of admixture mapping over alternative genomewide mapping methods is that it requires a much lower density of genetic markers across the genome, with a significant reduction in cost and effort.
Publications:

Paterson, Andrew D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health Sciences (U of T)
Canada Research Chair in Genetics of Complex Disease
Senior Scientist, Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, Hospital for Sick Children

Address:	Hospital for Sick Children, Program in Genetics and Genomic Biology MaRS/Toronto Medical Discovery Tower 101 College Street, Room 15-707 Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-813-6994 FAX: 416-813-2150 andrew.paterson@utoronto.ca Hospital For Sick Children website profile
Research Interests:	Genetic factors are important in the etiology of type 1 diabetes. Genes within the MHC region on chromosome 6p21 and the insulin gene region on chromosome 11p15 together contain DNA sequence variations which account for about 50% of the susceptibility of an individual to develop type 1 diabetes. Most of the remaining familial clustering is unaccounted for - there is evidence for at least another 20 genes in which variations influence an individual's risk to be affected with type 1 diabetes. We are using genome-wide association analysis to identify some of these other genes. Genetic factors also contribute to the susceptibility to diabetic complications, specifically retinopathy, nephropathy and cardiovascular disease. We are leading a genome-wide association study to measure 1M common DNA sequencue variations in the human genome in patients from various studies including the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT, now called the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications study, EDIC) to determine which DNA sequence variations influence whether a person with type 1 diabetes has increased or decreased susceptibility to develop specific complications.
Publications:

Percy, Maire Ede
Professor, Department of Physiology; Department of OBS/GYN (U of T)
Director, Neurogenetics Laboratory at Surrey Place Centre

Address:	Neurogenetics Laboratory Surrey Place Centre, 2 Surrey Place Toronto, ON M5S 2C2
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-925-5141 Ext. 353 FAX: 416-923-8476 maire.percy@utoronto.ca
Research Interests:	Alzheimer disease, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes mellitus, and complications of these disorders, in the general population and in Down syndrome. We are presently focusing on the identification of genetic and environmental risk factors and their interactions in the above disorders, and studying the mechanisms by which such risk factors exert their effects. The objective of such studies is to identify processes that if corrected could prevent the above disorders and their complications.
Publications:

Perkins, Bruce, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism (U of T)
Staff Physician, University Health Network

Address:	Toronto General Hospital 200 Elizabeth Street, EN 12 Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-340-4800 Ext. 8019 FAX: 416-340-3314 bruce.perkins@uhn.on.ca
Research Interests:	My research initiatives focus on using epidemiological techniques to explore the natural history of diabetes complications and novel strategies for their prevention. My major clinical research areas include: Exploring the pattern of renal function decline and its determinants early in the course of nephropathy in type 1 diabetes. Characterizing the natural history of diabetic polyneuropathy and defining the best methods for clinical assessment. Diabetes technologies, including the process of care for intensive insulin therapy
Publications:

Perlman, Kusiel, MD
Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine (U of T)

Address:	The Hospital For Sick Children, Division of Endocrinology 555 University Avenue Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-813-5991 FAX: 416-813-6304 kusiel.perlman@sickkids.ca
Research Interests:	My present research is focused on two main areas: The assessment and incorporation of new and evolving technologies in the care of children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes, Involvement in clinical trials to assess, in children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes, the effects of new insulin preparations and routes of insulin delivery.
Publications:

Poussier, Philippe
Department of Immunology (U of T)

Address:	Sunnybrook Health Science Centre 2075 Bayview Avenue, Room A-338 Toronto, Ontario M4N 3M5
Phone/FAX: E-mail: Web site:	416-480-6136 FAX: 416-480-4375 philippe.poussier@sri.utoronto.ca www.immunology.utoronto.ca
Research Interests:	The objective of our research program is to identify type 1 diabetes (T1D) susceptibility genes in the spontaneously diabetic BB rat, and to characterize the mechanisms through which these genes contribute to disease development. With funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and Genome Canada, our experimental approach has been to first map these loci across the rat genome through linkage analyses of progeny from crosses/intercrosses of BB rats with T1D-resistant strains. Next, the result of these linkage analyses is confirmed through the development of congenic lines resulting from the introgression of novel T1D loci in the diabetes resistant line or T1D resistance loci into the BB background. Next, a positional and a functional approach is taken to identify the disease-susceptibility genes. In the former approach, the size of the chromosomal interval containing the disease-susceptibility gene is progressively reduced through capturing and fixing recombination events in congenic sublines to allow sequencing of the few genes left in the congenic interval. In parallel, we have taken a genome-wide functional approach to identify candidate genes. Specifically, gene expression microarray analysis is applied to antigen presenting cells, T lymphocytes and pancreatic cells purified from lines of rats that are congenic for single Iddm loci. Candidate genes identified through these two approaches, or genes involved in signaling pathways regulated by these genes are then tested for association with human T1D in several large cohorts of T1D families collected and characterized by our Genome Canada collaborators.
Publications:

Prud'homme, Gérald J., MD, FRCPC
Professor, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology (U of T)
Clinician-Scientist, St. Michael's Hospital

Address:	St. Michael's Hospital 30 Bond Street, Room 2-013, Carter Wing Toronto, ON M5B 1W8
Phone/FAX: E-mail: Web site:	416-864-6060 Ext. 3147 FAX: 416-864-5648 prudhommeg@smh.toronto.on.ca www.stmichaelshospital.com
Research Interests:	Dr. Prud'homme's main areas of interest are immunoregulation, immunopathology and the immunogene therapy of autoimmune diabetes and other autoimmune diseases. In recent years, he has developed several nonviral vectors for the delivery of cytokines, cytokine inhibitors, and immunoinhibitory molecules, and demonstrated their application in models of autoimmunity (autoimmune diabetes, lupus and EAE). He has also produced DNA vaccines that are either designed to ameliorate autoimmune diabetes, or to enhance tumour immunity. His most recent work involves non-viral gene therapy of diabetes with GLP-1-Fc fusion constructs, and the study of cytokines, other molecules and drugs in the regulation of the immune system.
Publications:

Q

Quaggin, Susan, MD, FRCPC
Associate Professor, Department of Medicine (U of T)

Address:	Mount Sinai Hospital, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute 600 University Avenue, Room 855 Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-586-4800 Ext.2859 FAX: 416-586-8588 quaggin@mshri.on.ca
Research Interests:	The Role of VEGF-A in Diabetic Nephropathy. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease in North America and the largest component of total cost of diabetes care. The basic mechanisms and pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy are not well understood. The role of vascular endothelial growth factor A in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications is suggested by increased expression of this pro-angiogenic factor in retina and glomeruli prior to the onset of major changes. Furthermore, the nephropathy in a diabetic rat model responded to reduction of systemic VEGF levels with a blocking VEGF antibody. In our lab, we have generated a number of molecular tools and mouse models that permit us to manipulate the local production of VEGF-A in the glomeruli of living mice. Through the administration of doxycycline in the drinking water of transgenic mice, we are able to upregulate the production of the major isoform of VEGF-A 5-fold. Following only 4 days of induction, these mice develop progressive albuminuria similar to clinical presentation of patients with new onset type diabetes. Following 2 months of induction, the glomeruli of these mice exhibit features characteristic of diabetic nephropathy including nodular sclerosis, basement mebrane thickening and mesangial expansion. We will now use these murine models to further dissect the role of VEGF-A signaling in diabetic nephropathy in euglycemic and hyperglycemic settings and as a preclinical model to test the potential role of systemic VEGF inhibitors and TGF-beta inhibitors in slowing progression of diabetic changes.
Publications:

R

Retnakaran, Ravi, MD, FRCPC
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism (U of T)

Address:	Leadership Sinai Centre for Diabetes Mount Sinai Hospital 60 Murray Street, Suite L5-025, Mailbox 21 Toronto , Ontario M5T 3L9
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-586-4800 ext 3941 FAX: 416-586-8853 rretnakaran@mtsinai.on.ca
Research Interests:	My research focuses on the early pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). A central component of this program is a large prospective observational cohort study of women recruited in pregnancy and followed longitudinally for several years postpartum. The concept underlying this program is that the gluco-regulatory response to the metabolic challenge posed by pregnancy provides unique physiologic insight into a woman’s future risk of metabolic and vascular disease. Indeed, in a series of papers, we have demonstrated that a woman’s glucose tolerance status in pregnancy provides a window to her future risk of both T2DM and CVD, ranging from high risk (in women with gestational diabetes (GDM)) to intermediate risk (in women with mild abnormalities of glucose tolerance in pregnancy) to low risk (in women that maintain normal antepartum glucose homeostasis). Thus, longitudinal cardio-metabolic characterization of a cohort of women reflecting the full spectrum of glucose tolerance in pregnancy can provide insight into early events in the pathophysiology of T2DM and CVD. Given the central role of beta-cell dysfunction in the pathophysiology of T2DM, another major interest in my research program is the evaluation of beta-cell function on oral glucose tolerance test and meal tolerance test.
Publications:	Retnakaran R, Y Qi, M Sermer, PW Connelly, B Zinman, AJ Hanley. Glucose intolerance in pregnancy and postpartum risk of metabolic syndrome in young women {Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2009, in press} [Epub ahead of print Nov 19, 2009] Retnakaran R, Y Qi, PW Connelly, M Sermer, AJ Hanley, B Zinman. Low adiponectin concentration during pregnancy predicts postpartum insulin resistance, beta-cell dysfunction and fasting glycaemia {Diabetologia 2009, in press} [Epub ahead of print Nov 24, 2009] Retnakaran R, Y Qi, M Goran, J Hamilton. Evaluation of proposed oral disposition index measures in relation to the actual disposition index. Diabetic Medicine 2009; 26:1198-1203.

Rocheleau, Jonathan V., PhD
Assistant Professor, Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering (U of T)
Scientist, Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network

Address:	MaRS Centre/Toronto Medical Discovery Tower 101 College Street, 10th Floor, Room 10-361 Toronto , Ontario M5G 1L7
Phone/FAX: E-mail: Web site:	416-581-7839 FAX: 416-581-7839 jrochele@uhnresearch.ca http://individual.utoronto.ca/Rocheleau
Research Interests:	Interaction between pancreatic islets and vascular endothelial cells is necessary for the maintenance of ß-cell mass and function. Aside from acting as a conduit for molecular oxygen, vascular endothelial cells in vivo secrete the majority of islet extracellular matrix (ECM). This ECM likely provides a permissive signal for ß-cell proliferation, contributing to the coordinated hyperplasia of these tissues during the early stages of Type 2 diabetes. This ECM also provides a reservoir for heparin binding growth factors that further modulate this hyperplasia, including fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A). We hypothesize that communication between ß-cells and vascular endothelial cells directs the proliferation and function of both tissues. To examine ß-cell-vascular endothelial cell interaction, my lab uses a number of cutting-edge techniques: two-photon excitation microscopy, confocal microcopy, microfluidics, and live cell imaging of fluorescent proteins. Current projects use cell culture and ex vivo pancreatic islet models. These studies will advance our understanding of pancreatic islet communication, with a specific focus on the communication between ß-cell and vascular endothelial cells through FGF/FGFR1-signaling.
Publications:

Rodin, Gary, MD
Department of Psychiatry (U of T)
Head, Behaviour Science and Health Research Division, University Health Network

Address:	Toronto General Hospital, Department of Psychiatry 200 Elizabeth Street, EN 8 Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-340-3044 FAX: 416-340-4198 gary.rodin@uhn.on.ca
Research Interests:	My general research interests have been focused on the psychology and psychiatric comorbidity of medical and psychosomatic illness, the influence of sociocultural factors on these conditions and on the development and evaluation of psychotherapeutic interventions. Our research group has been studying factors that affect quality of life in type 1 diabetes and, in particularly, the contributions of type 1 diabetes and its treatment to disturbed eating behaviors and to overt eating disorders. We have studied the comorbidity of eating disorders and type 1 diabetes, the impact of eating disorders on the medical course of diabetes and the influence of parent-child interactions in pre-teen and teenaged girls.
Publications:

Rozakis Adcock, Maria
Associate Professor, Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology (U of T)

Address:	University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building 1 King's College Circle, Room 6238 Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-946-0392 FAX: 416-978-5959 maria.rozakis@utoronto.ca
Research Interests:	The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide, as is the prevalence of obesity-related co-morbidity. Obesity is associated with an increased risk of developing insulin resistance and Type II diabetes (T2D). A universal observation in both humans and rodents is that impaired insulin secretion in is caused by a marked increase in pancreatic β-cell destruction that outweighs the rate of β-cell replication and renewal. Currently, the factors that instigate an increased rate of β-cell death during the pathogenesis of T2D are not fully understood. Research in the Rozakis lab is focused on understanding molecular and cellular processes that contribute to insulin resistance and Type II diabetes. Our lab has identified novel transcriptional networks that serve to regulate pancreatic islet regeneration and glucose homeostasis. We use a combination of biochemical, proteomic approaches and transgenic animal models to understand the molecular circuitry involved in transducing the unique actions of insulin on its target tissues.
Publications:	Sun, J., Khalid, S., Rozakis-Adcock, M., Fantus, F. and Tianru Jin (2009) P-21 activated protein kinase-1 functions as a Linker between Insulin and Wnt Signaling Pathways in the Intestine Oncogene 28, 3132-44. Bikopoulos, G., da Silva Pimenta, A., Lee, SC., Lakey, JR., Der, SD., Chan, CB. Ceddia, RB., Wheeler, MB and Rozakis Adcock, M. (2008) Ex vivo transcriptional profiling of human pancreatic islets following chronic exposure to monounsaturated fatty acids. J of Endocrinology 196 , 455-464. Podchecko, A., Northcott, P., Bikopoulos, G., Lee, A.., Swaroop B., Kushner, JA., Farhang Fallah, J., Rozakis-Adcock, M. (2007) Identification of a WD-40 repeat containing isoform of PHIP as a novel regulator of pancreatic beta cell growth and survival. Mol Cell Biol 27, 6484-96.

S

Scholey, James W., MD
Associate Professor, Department of Medicine (U of T)

Address:	Toronto General Hospital 200 Elizabeth Street, EN 13-244 Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-340-5093 FAX: 416-340-0029 james.scholey@utoronto.ca
Research Interests:	Renal Physiology / Renal Hemodynamics; Diabetic Renal Disease; Gender
Publications:

Sefton, Michael
Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering (U of T)

Address:	University of Toronto, Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research 160 College St., Room 406 Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-978-3088 FAX: 416-978-4317 michael.sefton@utoronto.ca www.ibbme.utoronto.ca/faculty/core/sefton.htm
Research Interests:	Biomaterials and tissue engineering: microencapsulation of mammalian cells including pancreatic islets; cell transplantation; immune and inflammatory responses to biomaterials; thrombogenicity of biomaterials.
Publications:

Shah, Baiju, MD, PhD, FRCPC
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine (U of T)
Staff Endocrinologist, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Scientist, Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences
Scientist, Sunnybrook Research Institute

Address:	Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences 2075 Bayview Avenue, Suite G106 Toronto, Ontario M4N 3M5
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-480-4706 FAX: 416-480-6048 baiju.shah@ices.on.ca
Research Interests:	My research focus is on the quality of and outcomes of diabetes care. Much of this work is done using linkage of large health care administrative data bases. My three main areas of interest are: a) the influence of different care models on diabetes quality and outcomes, b) gestational diabetes care and outcomes, and c) diabetes in vulnerable populations, including ethnic, immigrant and aboriginal communities.
Publications:	Shah BR, Booth GL. Predictors and effectiveness of self-management education in clinical practice. Patient Education and Counseling, 74:19-22, 2009 Retnakaran R, Shah BR. Mild glucose intolerance in pregnancy and future risk of cardiovascular disease in young women: population-based cohort study. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 181(6-7):371-376, 2009 Shah BR, James JE, Lawton C, Montada-Atin T, Sigmond M, Cauch-Dudek K, Booth GL. Diabetes quality of care in academic endocrinology practice. Canadian Journal of Diabetes. 33(3):150-155, 2009. (Not in PubMed, but is available directly from CDA at http://www.diabetes.ca/documents/about-diabetes/Shah--Sept_24,_2009.pdf)

Silverman, Melvin
Department of Medicine (U of T)

Address:	University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building 1 King's College Circle, Room 7205 Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-978-7189 FAX: 416-971-2132 melvin.silverman@utoronto.ca
Research Interests:	Extracellular matrix - mesangial cell signalling Diabetic nephropathy Structure/function studies of Na/sugar cotransporter Metalloproteinase secretion and activation Structure function studies of hmunc13
Publications:

Steiner, George, MD
Departments of Medicine; Physiology; Institute of Medical Sciences (U of T)

Address:	Toronto General Hospital 200 Elizabeth Street, 12-North Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2C4
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-340-4538 FAX: 416-340-3473 george.steiner@uhn.on.ca
Research Interests:	The relationship between lipoproteins and atherosclerosis in diabetes. The studies include studies of lipoprotein kinetics and physiology in humans, multinational intervention trials, studies of atherosclerosis epidemiology. This laboratory is a WHO Collaborating Centre for the Study of Atherosclerosis in Diabetes.
Publications:

Stewart, Donna E., MD, FRCPC
Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Faculty of Medicine (U of T)
Professor and Chair of Women's Health, University Health Network

Address:	Toronto General Hospital 200 Elizabeth Street, EN-7- 229 Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-340-3846 FAX: 416-340-4185 donna.stewart@uhn.on.ca
Research Interests:	To identify sex and gender differences in the delivery and use of diabetes services, education and care, and in diabetes management and diabetes health outcomes. To improve upon how we transfer knowledge and skills to both clinicians and individuals with diabetes.
Publications:

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van der Kooy, Derek, PhD
Professor, Department of Molecular Genetics (U of T)

Address:	Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research University of Toronto 160 College Street, Room 1102 Toronto, Ontario CANADA M5S 3E1
Phone/FAX: E-mail: Web sites:	416-978-1960 FAX: 416-978-2666 derek.van.der.kooy@utoronto.ca www.utoronto.ca/nbrg
Research Interests:	The search for putative precursor cells within the pancreas has been a focus of extensive research. Adult mouse Pancreas-derived Multipotent Precursor (PMP) cells, possessing the intriguing capacity to generate cross-germ layer progeny in the pancreatic and neural lineages, have been identified. Here, genetic lineage-labelling was used to exclude the neural crest as the developmental source of PMPs. Notably, we demonstrate that the PMP cell expresses insulin in vivo, providing reconciliation with reports that new adult b cells are formed exclusively by self-replication. Further, PMP cells were shown to exist within adult human islet tissue, each capable of extensive proliferation, self-renewal, and generation of multiple differentiated pancreatic and neural cell types. Finally, the newly generated human b cell progeny were found to display regulated insulin secretion. These findings demonstrate that the adult mammalian pancreas contains a population of insulin+ multipotent stem cells, capable of contributing to the neural and pancreatic lineages.
Publications:	Seaberg, R.M., Smukler, S.R., Kieffer, T.J., Enikolopov, G., Asghar, Z., Wheeler, M.B., Korbutt, G., and van der Kooy, D. Clonal identification of multipotent precursors from adult mouse pancreas that generate neural and pancreatic lineages. Nature Biotechnology, 22 (2004) 1115-1124.

Volchuk, Allen
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Biochemistry; Dept. of Physiology; Dept. of Medicine (U of T)
Scientist, Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network

Address:	MaRSCentre/Toronto Medical Discovery Tower 101 College Street, East Tower, 10th Floor, Room 707 Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7
Phone: E-mail:	416-581-7675 avolchuk@uhnres.utoronto.ca
Research Interests:	In the pre-diabetic state, pancreatic b-cells can compensate for developing peripheral tissue insulin resistance by increased insulin synthesis and secretion. The up-regulated insulin synthesis imposes a major stress on the protein folding environment in the endoplasmic reticulum of the b-cell. It has recently been proposed that over time this leads to b-cell failure and eventual cell death by apoptosis, resulting in diabetes. Recent work has uncovered an intricate biochemical system called the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) that senses the level of ER stress and initiates a response that includes the up-regulation of ER chaperone genes, inhibition of general protein synthesis and if the stress is persistent, induction of the apoptotic pathway. A molecular understanding of this system will be beneficial to the development of therapeutic approaches that improve b-cell function alleviating the progression towards the diabetic state. Research in the Volchuk laboratory focuses on the molecular mechanism of the UPR in pancreatic b-cells, the development of non-b-cells that store and secrete insulin in a regulated manner, and the molecular mechanism of insulin exocytosis in b-cells. Current projects utilize cell culture models and molecular, cell biological and microscopy techniques to examine these areas of b-cell physiology, while future studies will also make use of transgenic and knock-out mouse models.
Publications:

Vranic, Mladen, O.Ont, MD, DSc, FRSC, FRCP(C), FCAHS
Professor Emeritus, Departments of Physiology and Medicine (U of T)
Laureate, Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

Address:	University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building 1 King's College Circle, Room 3247B Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-978-4126 FAX: 416-978-4373 mladen.vranic@utoronto.ca
Research Interests:	The research in Dr. Vranic’s laboratory centres on the physiological and molecular mechanisms whereby exercise can prevent diabetes in the ZDF rats. Initially we have shown that exercise increases expansion of β-cell mass due in part to hypertrophy and hyperplasia. The area of GLUT-2 and protein-kinase-B is also elevated formation of ubiquitinated protein aggregates response to cellular oxidative stress is prevented by exercise. Paradoxically, mild, intermittent stress has similar effects to exercise. This is in contrast to continuous stress, which deteriorates diabetes. Finally, volitional exercise decreases oxidative stress markers and inflammation associated with decreased hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in the reduced expression of the main gluconeogenic enzyme PEPCK. In insulin-treated diabetics, hypoglycemia occurs frequently, and presents a major acute complication. This is mainly due to reduced or absent counter-regulatory hormones. We have demonstrated that an antagonist of somatostatin receptor number 2 can dramatically restore glucagon response and also improves the responses of corticosterone and epinephrine. This observation has been patented and offers a new possibility of prevention of hypoglycemia. Relaxation of intensive insulin treatment reduces the risk of hypoglycemia but increases the risk of long-term diabetic complications.
Publications:	Kiraly MA, Campbell J, Park E, Bates HE, Yue JTY, Rao V, Matthews SG, Bikopoulos G, Rozakis-Adcock M, Giacca A, Vranic M, Riddell M. Exercise Maintains Euglycemia in association with decreased activation of cJUN NH2-Terminal kinase and serine phosphorylation of IRS1 in the liver of ZDF rats. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, 2009.

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Wang, Qinghua, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Departments of Physiology and Medicine (U of T)

Address:	St. Michael's Hospital Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism 30 Bond St., Room 7005, Queen Wing Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8
Phone/FAX: E-mail: Web site:	416-864-6060 Ext.6767 FAX: 416-864-6043 qinghua.wang@utoronto.ca Department of Physiology website profile
Research Interests:	Among patients with diabetes, while the production of insulin is insufficient, glucagon and glucose production is also too high. While seeking a means to enhance pancreatic insulin production, we are also studying the signaling and molecular control of islet cell-cell interactions in regulating islet beta-cell function and glucose homeostasis during the development of diabetes. Our research is fundamental and translational, aiming at developing new therapeutic strategies that could enable patients with diabetes to permanently manage the disease and effectively avoid its associated complications, such as kidney disease blindness and heart disease.
Publications:

Watt, Valerie
Professor, Department of Physiology (U of T)

Address:	Department of Physiology, Medical Sciences Building 1 King's College Circle Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-978-3370 FAX: 416-978-4940 v.watt@utoronto.ca
Research Interests:	Characterization of the insulin-related receptors and their ligands.
Publications:

Weisel, Richard, MD
Professor, Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiac Surgery (U of T)

Address:	Toronto General Hospital 200 Elizabeth Street , NU 1-115 Toronto , Ontario M5G 2C4
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-581-7662 FAX: 416-340-3475 Richard.Weisel@uhn.on.ca
Research Interests:	Endothelin, perioperative ischemia and diabetes
Publications:

Wen, Xiao-Yan, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department or Medicine (U of T)
Scientist, McLaughlin Centre For Molecular Medicine
Scientist, Princess Margaret Hospital
Affiliated Scientist, Toronto General Research Institute

Address:	Princess Margaret Hospital 620 University Ave., Room 8-205 Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C1
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-946-4435 FAX: 416-946-2087 x.wen@utoronto.ca
Research Interests:	Roles of lpdl and lpdlr lipases in lipid/lipoprotein and glucose metabolism Zebrafish model to study pancreas development and regeneration
Publications:

Westall, Carol A.
Professor of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences (U of T)
Director of Visual Electrophysiology, Ophthalmology
Senior Associate Scientist, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute

Address:	Hospital For Sick Children Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences 555 University Avenue Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-813-6516 FAX: 416-813-7661 carol@sickkids.ca
Research Interests:	One of the changes commonly observed in adults and children with type I diabetes, is impaired vision. As Director of a world class pediatric visual Electrophysiology unit I have the tools to describe visual processing using the latest technologies for objective visual function assessment. Our results from non-invasive vision function testing in diabetes provide support to the notion that the neural tissue within the retina and the visual pathways of the brain may be subject to damage as a result of diabetes (IOVS 2005). This finding lead to our current study (funded by Juvenile diabetes research foundation) aimed at identifying which neuro-visual markers precede detectable vascular dysfunction in type 1 diabetes and which markers of neuronal disease are predictive of subsequent sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy. Currently this is a major drive of our lab and will be accelerated further with the onset of structural imaging made possible with equipment funds from the Canadian Foundation for Innervations. These studies are a unique collaboration between HSC Ophthalmology (Wai-Ching Lam), St Michael’s hospital Ophthalmology (Shelley Boyd) and Endocrinology (Denis Daneman).
Publications:

Wheeler, Michael B.
Professor, Departments of Physiology and Medicine (U of T)
Head of the Endocrinology and Diabetes Research Group (U of T)

Address:	University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building 1 King's College Circle, Room 3352 Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-978-6737 FAX: 416-978-4940 michael.wheeler@utoronto.ca
Research Interests:	The major focus of my research is to develop novel strategies to treat type-2 diabetes and obesity using molecular and cellular approaches. Since defects in pancreatic endocrine function cause type-2 diabetes the laboratory focuses specifically on understanding mechanisms that control insulin and glucagon secretion in normal and diseased states. There is a clear link between obesity and the development of type-2 diabetes, so understanding how excessive dietary intake and fat can cause diabetes is an important objective of the lab. To reach our objectives, we use a multidisciplinary approach, combining information gained from genetic models of diabetes, genomics and proteomics, molecular biology, state-of the-art realtime cellular imaging and patchclamp electrophysiology. The laboratory is affiliated with the Endocrinology and Diabetes Research Group in the Department of Physiology, which has excellent graduate and postgraduate training programs.
Publications:

Wherrett, Diane
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics (U of T)

Address:	Hospital for Sick Children, Division of Endocrinology 555 University Avenue Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-813-8159 FAX: 416-813-6304 diane.wherrett@sickkids.on.ca
Research Interests:	My research interest is in the immunology of type 1 diabetes, particularly in clinical trials of prevention of type 1 diabetes. I am a principal investigator in Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet, the NIH sponsored multicentre type 1diabetes prevention network. TrialNet has two studies in family members of those with type 1 diabetes - The Natural History of the Development of Type 1 Diabetes, and Oral Insulin Prevention Trial. Our active studies for preservation of beta cells in newly diagnosed patients include: New Onset of Type 1 Diabetes Mycophenolate Mofetil - Daclizumab (MMF-DZB) Clinical Trial, Effects of Rituximab On The Progression of Type 1 Diabetes In New Onset Subjects. Our site also coordinates recruitment for TrialNet studies throughout Canada through a network of affiliated sites. For more information, see the TrialNet website, www2.diabetestrialnet.org.
Publications:

Wittnich, Carin
Associate Professor, Department of Physiology; Department of Surgery (U of T)

Address:	University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building 1 Kings College Circle, Room 7256 Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-978-7744 FAX: 416-978-8765 c.wittnich@utoronto.ca
Research Interests:	Dr. Wittnich's research focus is the "high risk" heart patient population, with particular emphasis on newborn children and women. This research tackles the issue of development and maturation and the role of sex in the heart's ability to tolerate stress and how this influences heart disease patterns. Her research program studies heart performance and metabolism from the whole body, molecular and genetic perspectives. One ongoing study looks at why newborn children undergoing heart surgery have a significantly higher complication and death rate compared to adult or older children. It was found that newborn hearts were more susceptible to ischemic injury and that several metabolic differences exist that could contribute to this apparent age related difference, including glucose handling. Ongoing research on the mechanisms for these differences explores molecular and second messengers in our hope to shed light on these issues. Low oxygen (cyanosis) is common in newborn children with heart abnormalities, yet what effect this has on their metabolic and functional profile continues to be unclear. Our research has identified a threshold level of oxygen deprivation, below which rapid metabolic stress is seen, including reductions in energy levels in the heart. These reductions are of concern since we had earlier identified that reduced ATP levels rendered a heart at significantly greater risk of earlier damage, despite the use of techniques such as hypothermia to reduce metabolic stress. It is also taught and accepted that oxygen is our friend and this, until recently, has remained unchallenged and unstudied, particularly in the newborn. Children can be exposed to PaO2's ranging from 250-500mmHg for periods of a few hours to days, especially when on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. When carefully studied in our laboratory, it was found that high oxygen (PaO2 =250-500mmHg) exposure resulted in immediate sustained reductions in blood pressure and metabolic alterations, including elevations in glucose and relevant hormones which we continue to explore. "High risk" patients are not just restricted to the newborn age group. Another issue that has come to light lately is the potential role of sex in susceptibility of, and to, heart disease. The various potential influences of sex hormones on metabolism and organ function are currently under investigation. We have identified a number of metabolic seemingly gender-related differences that appear to be mediate by sex hormones. As well, sex differences in the hearts responses to increased afterload (hypertension) are being identified and the mechanisms for these differences elucidated. The information obtained in these research efforts we hope will lead to a number of changes in the management of patients, with clinical studies currently underway to explore our research findings especially the finding of high oxygen on glucose handling.
Publications:

Wojtowicz, J. Martin
Professor, Department of Physiology (U of T)

Address:	University of Toronto, Department of Physiology 1 Kings College Circle Medical Sciences Building, Room 3214 Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8
Phone: E-mail: Web site:	416-978-2899 martin.wojtowicz@utoronto.ca www.newneuron.com
Research Interests:	Research involves studies of pathological changes in the brain related to learning and memory. Specifically, diabetes can cause reduction in rate of neurogenesis in adult brain, which in turn, can lead to impaired learning and memory. Specific signals leading to impairment of neurogenesis and ways of preventing or compensating for impaired memory are under investigation.
Publications:	S. Becker, G. M. MacQueen, and J. M. Wojtowicz. The computational modeling and empirical studies of hippocampal neurogenesis-dependent memory: effects of interference, stress and depression. Brain Res. 1299:45-54, 2009.

Wolever, Thomas M. S.
Professor, Departments of Nutritional Sciences and Medicine (U of T)

Address:	Department of Nutritional Sciences 150 College Street, University of Toronto Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E2
Phone/FAX: E-mail: Web sites:	416-978-5556 FAX: 416-978-5882 thomas.wolever@utoronto.ca http://www.utoronto.ca/nutrisci/faculty/Wolever/ http://www.gilabs.com
Research Interests:	Carbohydrates in human nutrition, specifically the effects of glycemic index, sugars, starch, and dietary fiber in relation to diabetes, hyperlipidemia and colonic fermentation.
Publications:	Wolever TMS, Jenkins AL, Vuksan V, Campbell J. The glycaemic index values of foods containing fructose are affected by metabolic differences between subjects. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2009;63:1106-14. Freeland KR, Wilson C, Wolever TMS. Adaptation of colonic fermentation and glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion with increased wheat fibre intake for 1 year in hyperinsulinaemic human subjects. Br J Nutr. 2010;103:82-90. Lan-Pidhainy X, Wolever TMS. The hypoglycemic effect of fat and protein is not attenuated by insulin resistance. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;91:98-105.

Woo, Minna, MD, FRCPC, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Medicine and Medical Biophysics, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism (U of T)
Affiliate Scientist, Ontario Cancer Institute
Staff Endocrinologist, St. Michael’s Hospital

Address:	Ontario Cancer Institute 610 University Avenue, Suite 8-113 Toronto, Ontario M5G 2N9
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-946-4501 X3971 FAX: 416-946-2086 mwoo@uhnres.utoronto.ca http://medbio.utoronto.ca/faculty/woo.html
Research Interests:	The major research focus in the Woo laboratory is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that determine islet apoptosis and survival in physiological and diabetic states. We work with knockout and transgenic mouse models to question which are the essential genes that determine beta cell mass and function. Some examples of the genes we study include caspases, PTEN, survivin, and Rb family members. We examine whole-body glucose homeostasis and fuel metabolism, in addition to examination of the pancreatic beta cells in vivo and in vitro to determine the roles of the specific genes and their essential signalling pathways. We study the roles of these specific genes in the setting of 1) initiation of autoimmune diabetes, 2) the final destructive phase of the islets in both Type 1 and 2 diabetes, and 3) in islet transplantation.
Publications:	Choi D, Radziszewska A, Schroer SA, Liadis N, Liu Y, Zhang Y, Lam PP, Sheu L, Hao Z, Gaisano HY, Woo M. Deletion of Fas in the pancreatic beta-cells leads to enhanced insulin secretion. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2009 Dec;297(6):E1304-12. Wu X, Wang L, Schroer S, Choi D, Chen P, Okada H, Woo M. Perinatal survivin is essential for the establishment of pancreatic beta cell mass in mice. Diabetologia. 2009 Oct;52(10):2130-41 Radziszewska A, Schroer SA, Choi D, Tajmir P, Radulovich N, Ho JC, Wang L, Liadis N, Hakem R, Tsao MS, Penn LZ, Evan GI, Woo M. Absence of caspase-3 protects pancreatic {beta}-cells from c-Myc-induced apoptosis without leading to tumor formation. J Biol Chem. 2009 Apr 17;284(16):10947-56. trainees in the Woo lab

Woodgett, James
Department of Medical Biophysics (U of T)
Director, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital

Address:	Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute Mount Sinai Hospital 600 University Avenue, Room 982 Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5
Phone/FAX: E-mail: Web site:	416-586-8811 FAX: 416-586-8839 woodgett@lunenfeld.ca http://www.lunenfeld.ca/researchers/woodgett
Research Interests:	Our laboratory is primarily interested in the abrogation of signal transduction pathways in human disease, in particular the phosphatidylinositol 3' kinase pathway and the Wnt pathway. Both are implicated in cancer and diabetes. We are studying several protein kinase components of these pathways, such as Protein Kinase B (PKB/Akt), Serum and Glucocorticoid-inducible Kinase 3 (SGK3) and Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 (GSK-3). GSK-3 is associated with Alzheimer's Disease, bipolar disorder and type II diabetes. There are two mammalian genes for GSK-3, termed alpha and beta and we have generated both conventional and tissue-specific knockout mice strains of each. For example, we have generated mice that specifically lack GSK-3beta in either skeletal muscle and have characterized the insulin and glucose tolerances of these animals. GSK-3 is inhibited by insulin signalling and thus the knockouts are providing insight into the utility of GSK-3 inhibitors as sensitizers for insulin-resistant patients. We are also identifying novel targets for GSK-3 (and other protein kinases) which will help us understand the molecular mechanisms by which GSK-3 influences blood glucose responses.
Publications:	Satish Patel, Bradley W. Doble, Katrina MacAulay, Elaine M. Sinclair, Daniel J. Drucker, and James R. Woodgett. Tissue-Specific Role of Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β in Glucose Homeostasis and Insulin Action. Mol Cell Biol. 2008 October; 28(20): 6314-6328. Katsuya Tanabe, Zhonghao Liu, Satish Patel, Bradley W Doble, Lin Li, Corentin Cras-Méneur, Sara C Martinez, Cris M Welling, Morris F White, Ernesto Bernal-Mizrachi, James R Woodgett, and M. Alan Permutt. Genetic Deficiency of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β Corrects Diabetes in Mouse Models of Insulin Resistance. PLoS Biol. 2008 February; 6(2): e37.

Wu, Xiao Yu (Shirley)
Professor, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy (U of T),
Advanced Pharmaceutics & Drug Delivery Laboratory

Address:	University of Toronto Leslie Dan Pharmacy Building, Room 1103 144 College Street Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2
Phone/FAX: E-mail: Web site:	416-978-5272 FAX: 416-978-8511 xywu@phm.utoronto.ca http://www.pharmacy.utoronto.ca/graduate/faculty/wu.jsp
Research Interests:	Advanced pharmaceutics and controlled drug delivery. Our research interests and activities related to diabetes treatment include microencapsulation of enzymes, therapeutic hormones and polypeptides; artificial islet cells; nanomaterials such as bio-inorganic, polymer-metal and polymer-lipid hybrid nanoparticles and membranes; “intelligent” drug delivery systems for self-regulated drug delivery including glucose-responsive insulin releasing implants for diabetic research animals and for clinical treatment.
Publications:	C.R. Gordijo, A.J. Shuhendler, X.Y. Wu. Glucose-responsive bio-inorganic nanohybrid membrane for self-regulated insulin release. Adv. Func. Mater. In press, 2010 Q. Liu, A. M. Rauth, X.Y. Wu. Immobilization and bioactivity of glucose oxidase in hydrogel microspheres by an emulsification-internal gelation-adsorption-polyeletrolyte coating method. Int. J. Pharm. 339, 148-156, 2007.

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Yip, Christopher M.
Associate Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry; Department of Biochemistry; Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering (U of T)

Address:	University of Toronto 4 Taddle Creek Road, Room 407 Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-978-7853 FAX: 416-978-4317 christopher.yip@utoronto.ca
Research Interests:	Direct measurement of insulin and insulin-insulin receptor interactions by force spectroscopy. Scanning probe microscopy of insulin crystallization. Correlated imaging of insulin-insulin receptor binding by single molecule fluorescence techniques.
Publications:

Yu, Catherine
Staff, Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism, St. Michael's Hospital
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Medicine and Dalla Lana School of Public Health (U of T)
Adjunct Scientist, Keenan Research Centre in the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital

Address:	61 Queen Street East Toronto, Ontario M5C 2T2
Phone/FAX: E-mail: Web site:	- yuca@smh.ca www.stmichaelshospital.com/research/profile.php?id=yu
Research Interests:	My research interests lie in the role of patient and clinician behaviour change in knowledge translation. I am particularly interested in the development of innovative strategies for continuing professional development and patient education in chronic disease management, specifically diabetes care.
Publications:	Yu CH, Batty HP. Targeting educational interventions to clinician's stage of change. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2010 Sep;89(3):e43-e45. Epub 2010 Jun 17.

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Zhang, Liang, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology (U of T)
Research Scientist, Toronto Western Research Institute

Address:	Toronto Western Research Institute University Health Network Room 13-411, Toronto Western Hospital 399 Bathurst Street Toronto, Ontario M5T 2S8
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-603-5800 Ext. 2209 or 2702 liangz@uhnres.utoronto.ca
Research Interests:	Animal model studies of diabetes, particularly cellular and network mechanisms of neuropathological and/or pathophysiological, and cognitive events.
Publications:

Zinman, Bernard, MDCM, FRCPC, FACP
Professor, Department of Medicine (U of T)
Director, Leadership Sinai Centre for Diabetes, Mount Sinai Hospital
Sam and Judy Pencer Family Chair in Diabetes

Address:	Mount Sinai Hospital 60 Murray Street, Fifth Floor Room L5-024, Mail Box 17 Toronto, Ontario M5T 3L9
Phone/FAX: E-mail:	416-586-8747 FAX: 416-586-4740 zinman@lunenfeld.ca
Research Interests:	Studies evaluating metabolic and pharmacologic interventions to prevent diabetes complications. Diabetes in aboriginal communities. Evaluation of new therapies for Type 1 and 2 Diabetes
Publications:	Mauer M, Zinman B, Gardiner R, Suissa S, Sinaiko A, Strand T, Drummond K, Donnelly S, Goodyer P, Gubler MC, Klein R. Renal and retinal effects of Enalapril and Losartan in Type 1 diabetes. NEJM 361: 40-511, July 2009. Zinman B, Gerich J, Buse JB, Lewin A, Schwartz S, Raskin P, Hale PM, Zdravkovic M, Blonde L, for the LEAD-4 Study Investigators. Efficacy and safety of the human glucagon-like peptide-1 analog Liraglutide in combination with Metformin and thiazolidinedione in patients with Type 2 diabetes (LEAD-4 Met+ TZD). Diabetes Care 32(7): 1224-1230, 2009. Nathan DM, Zinman B, Cleary PA, Backlund JY, Genuth S, Miller R, Orchard TJ for the DCCT/EDIC Research Group. Modern-day clinical course of Type 1 diabetes mellitus after 30 years’ duration. Arch Int Med 169(14): 1307-1316, 2009.

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