Development of human beta cell-specific gene therapy to treat type 1 diabetes
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Trainee: Fatima Manzoor |
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Research Mentor: Roland Tisch |
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Clinical Co-mentor: Maureen Su |
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| Home Department | Microbiology and Immunology |
| Project Description | To cure long-standing diabetics, two goals need be attained in the clinic: 1) a sufficient mass of beta cells must be provided to reestablish euglycemia, and 2) ongoing autoimmunity must be blocked long-term to protect beta cells. My project focuses on these two issues by studying the balance between pathogenic and regulatory T cells regulated by IL-2 and how it leads to beta cell autoimmunity; as well as utilizing maternal lactogenic hormones to expand beta cell mass in diabetic individuals. |
