Research Programs
The Pacific Northwest Diabetes Research Institute supports and conducts basic and clinical research to predict, prevent, treat and ultimately cure diabetes and its complications.
The Institute hosts some of the world’s foremost minds in diabetes research. Individually, each Principal Scientist tackles a specific area of critical research, while collectively, the complementary programs create a comprehensive body of knowledge that significantly advances global understanding of all types of diabetes and perhaps one day lead to cures.
Critical Research
Specific areas of research currently being addressed include:
- Controlling the immune system in type 1 diabetes to prevent it from mistakenly treating insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells as foreign invaders
- Arming beta cells with antioxidant defenses to help ameliorate the development of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetics and using hormones to help these cells work better together
- Decreasing the body’s overall insulin need by increasing insulin sensitivity in muscles and fat
- Working out the biochemistry of beta cell molecular signaling to improve insulin secretion
- Studying sulfonylurea receptors and ion channels involved in the pathogenesis and treatment of congenital diabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Figuring out how beta cells grow and develop in utero to meet the body’s needs throughout life