Session I : ISLETS AND ENDOTHELIAL DYSFUNCTION PL-1 : Keynote address Dr. Barbara B. Kahn, M.D. Professor of Medicine Chief of the Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Division at BIDMC Director of the Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Fellowship Program Chief of the joint Endocrinology Program Associate Director of the NIH-funded Boston Obesity Nutrition Research Center Boston MA, USAResearch Interests : clinical trials to physiology to basic investigations of gene structure and function, cell signaling, gene transcription, mouse genetics and hormone resistance for the cure of Diabetes and Metabolic disorders. Dr. Per-Olof Berggren Professor and Head, Experimental Endocrinology at the Karolinksa Institute, Stockholm, Sweden Head of Cell Biology and Signal Tranduction and the Mary Lou Held Visiting Scientist at the Diabetes Research Institute, and Adjunct Professor of Surgery at University of Miami, USA Research Interests : detailed study and evaluation of beta cell function at various stages before and following transplantation. Through cell imaging techniques, his work aims to develop methods to prevent and reduce islet loss during the transplant process. Dr. Markus Stoffel Robert and Harriet Heilbrunn Professor Rockefeller University, USA Research Interests : identifying the major genetic causes of NIDDM. Dr. Charles Burant, M.D., Ph.D. Associate Professor Metabolism, Endocrinology & Diabetes University of Michigan, USA Research Interests : Current clinical interests include insulin resistance, novel therapies for diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, and thyroid disease. Dr. Burant’s research interests include lipid and glucose metabolism, and molecular and cell biology of insulin resistance and the regulation of islet cell growth. Dr. Susumu Seino, M.D. Professor Division of Cellular & Molecular Medicine Kobe University School of Medicine, Japan Research Interests : Beta cell signaling, Creating models for clinical conditions of diabetes disorders / behavior of curative medicine and development of simulation technology on the behavioral structure of anti-diabetic drugs, and develop a system that predicts the effects and side effects of anti-diabetic drugs. Session II : GLUCOSE METABOLISM AND ENERGY BALANCE Dr. Michael Czeck, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Director of the Program in Molecular Medicine University of Massachusetts, USA Research Interests : understanding the molecular basis of insulin action on glucose transport, which occurs selectively in muscle and fat cells and involves membrane trafficking of sequestered, intracellular glucose transporter proteins to the plasma membrane. Signal transduction by the insulin and insulin-like growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases. Dr. Bernard Thorens Professor of Physiology Center for Integrative Genomics University of Lausanne, Switzerland
Research Interests : Elucidation of the mechanisms by which the organism detects the variations in internal energy stores, in particular glucose. To determine by which molecular mechanisms the insulin-secreting pancreatic ß cells regulate their total mass and differentiated function and how they adapt, or fail to do so, to metabolic challenges such as western type, high calorie-containing food or in face of targeted gene modifications. We are approaching these questions through the study of glucose transporters and hormone receptors, using mouse genetics, genomics and metabolic evaluation techniques. “Insulin and AMPK signalling in Skeletal Muscle: Validation of targets to prevent and treat Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus” Dr. Juleen R. Zierath Professor of Physiology Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery Karolinska Institute Sweden Research Interests : identifying the cellular mechanisms underlying the development of insulin resistance in Type 2 diabetes. Her group provided the first evidence for physiological regulation of insulin signaling pathways and revealed key steps along this pathway are impaired in diabetic patients.The ultimate goal of her work is to identify and validate molecular candidates for pharmacological therapy to treat insulin resistance. Dr. Silvia Corvera Professor Program in Molecular Medicine University of Massachusetts, USA Research Interests : Cell Biology of Insulin Action and Type 2 Diabetes. Identifying the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie the effect of insulin on glucose transport and by which drugs such as the thiazolidinediones lead to improved insulin sensitivity. Session III HORMONES, NUCLEAR RECEPTORS AND METABOLISM (ADIPOKINE, INCRETIN, INSULIN RESISTANCE, SIGNALING PATHWAYS, PPAR) "The emergence of chemical biotechnology and its application to endocrine proteins" Dr. Richard DiMarchi Retired Group Vice President, Eli Lilly Research labs. Professor of Chemistry and the Jack and Linda Gill Distinguished Chair in Biomolecular Science, Indiana University, USA Research Interests : Biotechnology, proteins, peptides, protein drugs, drug discovery, diabetes, insulin, hormones. The scientific work from his group was central to the discovery and the commercial development of Humulin®, Humalog® Humatrope®, rGlucagon®, Xigris®, and Forteo®. Dr. Saud Efendic Professor in Endocrinology Karolinska Institute, Sweden Research Interests : a world-leading research scientist in the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of type 2 diabetes and the preclinical and clinical evaluation of drug candidates for type 2 diabetes. "Antiatherogenic properties of PPARgamma activators - novel effect beyond glucose control" Dr. Nikolaus Marx Professor University of Ulm, Germany Research Interests : diabetes, arteriosclerosis, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors Dr. Walter Wahli Director, Center for Integrative Genomics Switzerland Research Interests : unveiling of new functions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors in both coordinating the roles of several organs in energy homeostasis and in tissue repair mechanisms, including cell survival, proliferation and migration. "Cross-talk between nuclear receptors in metabolic control and cardiovascular disease" Dr. Bart Staels INSERM Institut Pasteur de Lille, France Research Interests : molecular pharmacology of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. He studied particularly the role of nuclear receptors (such as the PPARs, FXR, Rev-erb and ROR in the control of inflammation and lipid and glucose homeostasis as well as the transcriptional mechanisms involved. Pr. Staels was among the first to identify a crucial role for the nuclear receptor PPARs in the control of lipid and glucose metabolism as well as cardiovascular function in humans. Session IV : ADVANCES IN TYPE 2 DIABETIC THERAPY Dr. August Watanabe, MD Retired President Lilly Research Laboratories, USA Emeritus Professor of Medicine Indiana University School of Medicine,USA Research Interests : one of the world-leading clinical research scientist. Extensively contributed to drug discovery and clinical development in the area of diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular risk and metabolic disorders. “Depot-Specific Regulation of Human Adipose Tissue Adiponectin Secretion” Dr. Robert R. Henry, M.D., FRCP (C) (Ed) Professor of Medicine University of California San Diego Chief, Section of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism Director, Center for Metabolic Research VA San Diego Healthcare System, USA Research Interests : studies in the etiology, treatment, and prevention of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Studies are directed almost exclusively at the role of skeletal muscle in these disorders and are designed to elucidate what aspects of muscle metabolism are primary and which are secondary in etiology. “Adipose-derived cytokines: regulators of metabolism and inflammation” Dr. Christoph A. Meier Endocrine Unit Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology University Hospital Geneva, Switzerland Research Interests : A clinician with interest in ligand-independent mechanisms of activation of PPARs, such as phosphorylation, co-factors as well as in the role of PPARs and adipose tissue in the regulation of inflammation. This has led to the identification of several novel cytokines some of which (e.g. IL1-receptor antagonist) appear to mediate several of the components of the metabolic syndrome. Dr. David E. Moller, MD Vice President, Endocrine and Cardiovascular Research and Clinical Investigation Lilly Research Laboratories, USA Research Interests : discovery and early clinical development efforts in Diabetes, Obesity, Atherosclerosis and Musculoskeletal research. Dr. Simeon Taylor Vice President, Discovery Biology Bristol Myers Squibb, USA Research Interests : discovery and early clinical development efforts in Diabetes, Obesity, Atherosclerosis and Musculoskeletal research.
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