News from the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence

The Diabetes Center of Excellence at UMass Chan Medical School received a $250,000 donation from the Arthur M. and Martha R. Pappas Foundation.  The funds will be used to purchase and maintain a state-of-the-art flow cytometer to characterize cells and their functional and signaling properties.  It will provide quantitative data on immune cell and pancreatic islet cell phenotypes to facilitate the analysis of samples and greatly expand our research team’s capacity to rapidly screen experimental samples. 
FULL STORY & VIDEO ABOUT DR. ARTHUR PAPPAS

A recently published gene analysis study from the laboratory of Yong-Xu Wang, PhD, uncovered a physiological brake to protect the thermogenesis process in adipose tissue, providing new insights into mechanisms that sustain whole-body energy balance and tissue stability.  Their research is investigating cellular and molecular mechanisms to convert white adipocytes into brown-like adipocytes, as a potential Type 2 diabetes therapy.  LEARN MORE

Animal models of Type 1 diabetes (T1D) have provided valuable insights for decades, however rodent experiments have not provided an understanding of the root cause of how the disease develops in humans. The research team at the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence continues to gain new knowledge of the disease by recreating human immune systems inside of unique “humanized” mice to investigate human cells and tissues. A newly published manuscript in Molecular Metabolism emphasizes the concept that T1D pathogenesis is far more heterogeneous than has previously been widely appreciated by the broad diabetes research community. LEARN MORE

In an article featured in Worcester Medicine, UMass DCOE Nurse Practitioner Nancy Sidhom describes the benefits of continuous glucose monitors (CGM) and how the constantly improving technology is helping people living with diabetes like never before. From a nursing perspective, education is the center point of every patient encounter. CGM use has led many patients to reduce insulin use, revamp dietary choices, create exercise habits and effectively instill long-sought behavior change. Historically, CGM therapy was reserved for patients with Type 1 diabetes. Fortunately, CGM therapy is now widely covered for patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.  FULL ARTICLE

The Czech Lab is targeting genes that promote fatty liver and inflammation in obesity and diabetes with short-interfering RNA (siRNA)-induced RNAi as a potential therapy for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).  It's a severe liver disorder characterized by accumulating triglycerides and severe inflammation.  In a newly published study in the scientific journal Molecular Therapy, Batuhan Yenilmez, PhD, led preclinical studies using “humanized mice” from the Brehm Lab. The humanized model was used to show that their compound can successfully target human mRNA in vivo. FULL STORY

A newly published study by UMass Chan Medical School physician-scientist Benjamin Udoka Nwosu, MD and his team showed that partial clinical remission of adults diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D), commonly known as the honeymoon period, may reduce long-term cardiovascular risk.  FULL STORY

The Joseph “Nuzzy” Nozzolillo Memorial Foundation added a $20,560 donation in 2021 to their ongoing support of the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence, raising their four-year total to $60,560.  The fourth annual Joe “Nuzzy” Nozzolillo Memorial Golf Tournament was held in September, followed by their second outdoor “Rockin’ for Nuzzy” fundraiser concert over the summer. STORY & PHOTOS

Dr. Guilherme is approaching his 27^th anniversary working in the laboratory of Michael Czech, PhD at UMass Chan Medical School.  One of his career highlights thus far was his involvement in the development of small interfering RNA (siRNA) screens as a therapeutic tool to address cellular and molecular mechanisms of inflammation, obesity and diabetes. Another was the Czech Lab's discovery of a molecular motor they found to be essential for insulin stimulation of glucose transport into fat cells.  He's excited for future research to determine what additional hormones adipocytes are secreting, then studying those to determine if mutating or deleting them may offer therapeutic potential for people struggling with obesity, diabetes or cardiovascular disease.  Learn more about Adilson and his research.

Newly published research conducted in the laboratory of Jennifer Wand, MD, investigated the relationship between viral infections and type 1 diabetes (T1D). A significant number of viruses have been associated with T1D, including enteroviruses, such as Coxsackievirus.  The Wang Lab conducts extensive research using a unique rat model of T1D to study viruses as a possible trigger of the disease. The study defined how deleting components of the innate immune antiviral response alters immune cells to protect against autoimmunity.
LEARN MORE

A collaborative research team including UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence co-director Dale Greiner, PhD, developed and tested an enhanced microencapsulation device intended to protect transplanted human islets into people with Type 1 diabetes.  This newly published study showed proof-of-concept by providing a glucose-sensing, insulin-secreting encapsulation device that holds more cells and demonstrated greater cell survival than previous MEDs.  It also provided enhanced nutrient transport that ultimately led to a rapid reduction of hyperglycemia.  
LEARN MORE

Dr. Redick is a senior research scientist in the laboratory of Dr. David Harlan.  She's developing techniques to remove and study single islets from slices of human pancreas that we receive as members of the Network for Pancreatic Organ Donors with Diabetes (nPOD).  Her research helped put to rest a decades old debate about beta cells.  She has also worked closely with Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) engineers to develop a novel tool to improve the removal of individual islets from human pancreas slices to better investigate them.  Learn more about Sam and her research

Dr. Prateek Shukla is an endocrinologist at UMass Memorial Health focused on diabetes care with an interest in clinical research as a faculty member at UMass Chan Medical School. He was diagnosed with prediabetes during his fellowship and completely transformed to a healthy lifestyle and uses his own story to inspire  patients to achieve their own health goals. Dr. Shukla appreciates the constantly improving diabetes technology and plans to become a physician business leader.  He aspires to help develop a clinical platform of comprehensive diabetes care delivery with an integrated electronic health system. 
MEET DR. SHUKLA

Mason Tarpley was named the Cammett Scholar for Type 1 Diabetes Research at UMass Chan Medical School’s Diabetes Center of Excellence. His role as a bioinformatician is to analyze the immense amount of data generated in the laboratories of David Harlan, MD, Sally Kent, PhD, and Jennifer Wang, MD. 
Meet Mason and learn about his work

The 2021 Mello Scholar awards were presented to four graduate students at UMass Chan Medical School, including two who are conducting type 2 diabetes research.  The award is presented annually by its namesake, Nobel Laureate Craig Mello, PhD.  Kate Korobkina is a PhD candidate who works in the Guertin Lab. Kate is studying mechanisms of nutrient sensing in cells and tissues focusing in mTORC2 regulation and thermogenesis pathways.  Chandler Friend is PhD candidate in the Davis Lab where she's conducting metabolism studies.  Chadler is investigating endothelial cells, which form the barrier between tissues and circulating blood.  Learn more about the award and this year's recipients.

Brown adipose tissue (BAT), commonly known as brown fat, is a type of body fat that is activated in cold conditions.  Its main function is to turn the energy from fat storage and food into heat that helps maintain body temperature in the cold.  In a new study published in Cell Reports, the Guertin Lab learned that BAT uses glucose not only for fuel, but for many other metabolic pathways that support thermogenesis.  This discovery was possible through adapting a new technique and strategy to track how brown fat uses the individual atoms of glucose as they are consumed by the brown fat tissue.
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Carey Zammitti is a Research Associate in the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence laboratory of Michael Brehm, PhD.  Some of the projects she’s involved with include testing pig islets in the Brehm Lab’s unique “humanized” mouse models of type 1 diabetes to study their potential for transplantation as a possible therapeutic treatment.  She’s also working with microscopic encapsulation devices to test their functionality to protect insulin-producing beta cells and islets from being recognized and attacked by immune cells.  MEET CAREY

Approximately a third of all people with diabetes develop diabetic foot ulcers.  While current treatment is effective for some patients, about half of diabetic foot ulcers become nonhealing and result in amputation.  A team of scientists at the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence believe that can be avoided. 
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Dr. O’Connor joined the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence after completing his endocrinology fellowship at Mass General Hospital, but he's no stranger to Worcester. He graduated from UMass Medical School and after completing internship and residency at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, he returned to Worcester to work as a hospitalist at Memorial Hospital before pursuing fellowship training in Boston. He also has a strong passion for research. He's interested in studying genes linked to a person’s type 2 diabetes risk, new mechanisms by which people develop the disease, and he's also interested in clinical research and trials. 
MEET DR. O'CONNOR

A recent study led by Benjamin Udoka Nwosu, MD, explored whether the pandemic lockdown had an effect on the blood sugar control of U.S. children and adolescents living with type 1 diabetes (T1D).  Published in Frontiers in Endocrinology, the research found no significant change in glucose control between March 15, 2020, when schools throughout Massachusetts first closed due to COVID-19, through July 6, 2020. 
FULL STORY

The FDA has approved the first interchangeable biosimilar insulin for the treatment of diabetes.  It can be substituted by pharmacies without the intervention of the prescribing physician. Will this help to lower insulin prices for people who require this life-saving medication?  Dr. Samir Malkani, Interim Chief of Diabetes at UMass Memorial Health & UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence Education Manager Cheryl Barry, RN, CDCES, offered their thoughts on the matter. LEARN MORE

Dr. Kim’s daughters Allison and Lauren are also considering careers in medicine and science. When Lauren’s 2020 summer research internship at Harvard Medical School was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the family quickly created the Diabetes Virtual Camp to connect students and experts in a virtual internship setting. After successful summer, fall & winter sessions, the 2021 summer session will be sponsored by the American Diabetes Association. LEARN MORE

Sally Kent, PhD, conducts extensive research at UMass Medical School to understand how and why immune cells in people with type 1 diabetes attack their own beta cells.  A newly published article in the scientific journal Frontiers in Immunology specifically investigates the role of T cells at the “scene of the crime,” where the autoimmune attack occurs.  Dr. Kent collaborated with eight other scientists from the United States, Germany, France, and Sweden to co-author “Means, Motive, and Opportunity: Do Non-Islet-Reactive Infiltrating T Cells Contribute to Autoimmunity in Type 1 Diabetes?”   
FULL STORY

Dr. Asem Ali has been an endocrinologist at the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence (DCOE) and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School since 2014.  He’s the Director of Diabetes Services at Health Alliance Fitchburg Family Practice where spends part of his week leading their care team with the DCOE Community Diabetes Partnership Program.  In addition, he helps to oversee diabetes care for patients at Worcester’s UMass Memorial hospitals.  MEET DR. ALI

Pam is a Senior Scientist in the Brehm Lab at the Diabetes Center of Excellence at UMass Medical School. Combining her loves for animals and science, she helps to develop our unique "humanized" mice to observe how a person’s insulin producing beta cells interact with their own immune cells.  The goal is to finally understand where, how and why the autoimmune process takes place. This research provides a pre-clinical model before a potential treatment can advance to human trials.  MEET PAM 

The second UMass Diabetic Health Clinic for Worcester’s homeless population was a multidisciplinary outreach event with providers from the Diabetes Center of Excellence, vascular surgery, wound care, podiatry & more. They volunteered to examine people, provided information & resources and scheduled follow-up appointments as necessary.  PHOTOS & FULL STORY

New insulin pumps, infusion devices, continuous glucose monitors and smartphone apps continue to become available. Learn about the latest technology and tools providing self-management options for people living with both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.  FULL ARTICLE

Recently published data involving the development of a unique rat model provides new insight as to how type 1 diabetes may develop in humans. The collaborative research led by Dr. John Mordes, a physician-scientist at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and UMass Memorial Health, studied the relationship between a couple of genes which have previously been determined to increase the likelihood of a person developing T1D. They also investigated a protein coding gene, that when removed, has prevented diabetes in the rats. 
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UMass Memorial Diabetes Center of Excellence nurse practitioner and United States Air Force Brigadier General Sean Collins, has once again been called to active duty in Washington, DC.  He’s now serving a leadership role as Commander of the Air Force Medical Readiness Agency.  Learn about his decorated military career and how he balances it with his role as a valued member of our our diabetes care team. 
FULL STORY

Dr. Davis was elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences.  His research on stress signaling pathways are connected to diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer.  His work has led to the discovery of new genes that contribute to the development of these devastating diseases.  His impressive resume includes investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, member of the National Academy of Inventors and the National Academy of Sciences. The Davis Lab is investigating the molecular mechanism by which inflammation contributes to diabetes and working on the design of novel therapeutic strategies.  FULL STORY

Newly published research in the scientific journal Frontiers in Endocrinology investigates potential immunotherapies for type 1 diabetes using a protein called proinsulin. The UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence laboratory of Sally Kent, PhD, provided essential information and materials.  LEARN MORE

As we approach the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin in 1921, the scientific journal Cell Metabolism shared stories of scientists and clinicians whose research has advanced our understanding of insulin, islet biology, insulin resistance and diabetes. Two UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence researchers reflected on the privilege of studying insulin.  FULL STORY   

Newly published data of a randomized crossover trial evaluated a remote monitoring program for people with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes within the UMass Memorial Health Care system. Patients were provided with coaching from diabetes educators who monitored readings of patients’ blood glucose each time they tested and contacted them if their blood glucose was dangerously high or low. LEARN MORE

Dr. Bandyopadhyay is a postdoc in the Brehm Lab. She's studying how and why the autoimmune attack occurs in people with type 1 diabetes. They've started transplanting human cells that were derived from stem cells, into their unique "humanized" mouse models. She conducts experiments to observe interactions between insulin-producing beta cells and immune cells from the same T1D patients.  VIDEO & STORY

The newly funded JDRF Center of Excellence in New England research collaborative brings together leading scientists working to cure type 1 diabetes. Three simultaneous projects are working to create a stem cell-derived beta cell replacement therapy that would be invisible to the immune system, and provide insulin independence for people living with T1D. 
ARTICLE & VIDEO

Dr. Harlan kicked off the Stanford Diabetes Research Center Symposium celebrating the 100th anniversary of the purification & use of insulin as a life-saving diabetes treatment. His thorough retrospective describes important roles played by various scientists, including Nobel laureates. Four major themes in his presentation are: good ideas vs. brilliance; the roles that serendipity and persistence played; and unforeseen consequences of these incredible research accomplishments. VIEW VIDEO  

Tammy Nguyen, MD, PhD, is analyzing bone marrow to learn why diabetes patients with foot ulcers have a difficult time healing. She received the Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Society’s 2021 Early Career Faculty Research Grant designed to help new vascular surgical investigators initiate projects that will lead to additional funding. She's comparing immune cells from people with diabetes who have had amputations with nondiabetic patients who have had amputations for other reasons.  FULL STORY

Dr. Kim’s daughters Allison and Lauren are also considering careers in medicine and science. When Lauren’s summer research internship at Harvard Medical School was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic last year, the family quickly created the Diabetes Virtual Camp to connect students and experts in a virtual internship setting. After successful summer and fall sessions, they teamed up with the American Diabetes Association to support diabetes research, education and care. LEARN MORE

In addition to being a nurse practitioner for the Diabetes Center of Excellence at UMass Memorial Medical Center, Sean Collins, PhD, NP, is also has a decorated military career. Air National Guard Brigadier General Sean Collins has been named a member of the Board of Trustees for the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke. He recently served three months at the Pentagon addressing COVID issues in the early days of the pandemic.  FULL STORY

Newly published research from the Davis Lab at the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence explains a discovery that could lead to a potential therapy for type 2 diabetes and other metabolic diseases. LEARN MORE

Dr. Samir Malkani has been named Interim Chief of Diabetes, UMass Memorial Department of Medicine.  Dr. Malkani is a Professor of Medicine at UMass Medical School and began treating people living with diabetes at UMass Memorial in 1993 as a postdoctoral fellow.  Since 2001, he's been spending part of his week at Milford Regional Medical Center and was instrumental in building the UMass DCOE Community Diabetes Partnership Program.  Dr. David Harlan will continue serving as co-director of the DCOE, placing an emphasis on his ongoing type 1 diabetes research.  LEARN MORE

Research at UMass Medical School shows low levels of a protein commonly seen in screening tests during the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with adipose tissue remodeling, glucose resistance and gestational diabetes in pregnant women. The study, published in Science Translational Medicine, outlines a new role for pregnancy-associated plasma protein A, known as PAPPA, in gestational diabetes, with translational potential as both a diagnostic tool and therapeutic target.  FULL STORY

The laboratory of Louis M. Messina, MD, has received grant funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to test a novel therapy they’ve developed to treat wounds in older adults living with type 2 diabetes.  The Messina Lab already developed and patented a biotherapeutic, which they're now testing in our unique humanized mouse models.  FULL STORY

Scientists in the Czech Lab and Corvera Lab at UMass Medical School are using the gene editing tool CRISPR to alter DNA and modify gene function - and developing new methods to modify human fat cells in vitro, then transplanting them as a potential therapy for type 2 diabetes and obesity.  LEARN MORE

Victoria Andersen is a registered dietitian, licensed nutritionist and certified diabetes care & education specialist at the UMass Memorial Diabetes Center of Excellence. She uses her diverse training to help people living with type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes customize a healthy eating lifestyle to keep their blood sugars within target range. Her long road to Massachusetts went through Minnesota and Seattle.  MEET VICTORIA 

People with extra fat around their belly are more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those who have fat in the lower body. The Corvera Lab is studying how the development and function of fat cells differ in people with and without diabetes. They examine human fat from different locations in the body to study cells which become fat cells. Understanding the differences in genes expressed in these cells from abdominal fat or gluteal fat and how they become different types of fat cells will help elucidate how different fat depots form, and if they vary between people with and without type 2 diabetes. It will also help explain why lower body fat is beneficial, and maybe recapitulate these beneficial effects in ways that can improve health.  LEARN MORE

Newly published research in the Guertin Lab at the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence knocks out a gene, specifically in a precursor cell population, that gives rise to new fat cells, to understand how to make a healthy fat cell. They're studying a signaling pathway called mTOR Complex 2 (mTORC2). A key regulatory input was discovered that helps to establish not only insulin sensitivity, but the ability of fat tissue to use insulin to take up and store energy as lipids. For the first time, this data establishes mTORC2 as a key regulator of a developing fat cell.  FULL STORY

Taylor splits her time helping people manage diabetes at both the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence on the University campus in Worcester, as well as in northern Massachusetts at Heywood Hospital in Gardner. She enjoys helping them understand the barriers preventing healthy blood sugars, and putting together a plan to overcome those obstacles. she takes great pride in her patients' results. MEET TAYLOR

Nobel Laureate Craig Mello presented the annual Mello Scholars awards at a socially distanced ceremony at UMass Medical School. The event recognizes graduate students in the Program in Molecular Medicine with outstanding track records and bright futures. The award comes with one year of funding. One of this year’s recipients is a member of the Czech Lab at the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence. Learn more about this year's honorees here.

Lindsey was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 18 years old during her senior year of high school. Transitioning to college life was stressful while still learning to manage T1D with insulin injections & blood sugar checks all day. After freshman year at Suffolk University she decided to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner specializing in helping people with diabetes. Lindsey transferred to UMass Boston where she completed her nursing degree. She worked as a full-time nurse for 11 years and became a certified diabetes educator to help people manage diabetes. While working full-time, Lindsey earned her Masters in Nursing degree completing the Nurse Practitioner Program. Today she educates patients living with diabetes who are admitted to UMass Memorial hospitals.  MEET LINDSEY

The UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence and Division of Endocrinology welcomed Clifford Rosen, MD, to present at Endocrine Grand Rounds. Dr. Rosen is the director of clinical and translation research at Maine Medical Center Research Institute, and professor of medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine. His ties to UMass Medical Center date back to his medical residency during the late 1970’s, where a long friendship and working relationship was formed with the late Dr. Lewis Braverman. Learn more about the impressive career of Dr. Braverman and the many lives he touched. Watch Dr. Rosen's Endocrinology Grand Rounds research talk "A New Counter-Regulatory Hormone During Exercise: The Story of Irisin."  ARTICLE & VIDEO

The American Diabetes Association launched #HealthEquityNow, a national platform to ensure all 122 million Americans living with diabetes and prediabetes have access to necessary health resources. The UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence continues to hear people complain that insulin is too expensive. Many have admitted to sometimes skipping doses to make it last longer.  FULL STORY 

Jessin has been working as a nurse practitioner at the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence since 2015. She’s a member of the Inpatient Blood Glucose Management care team, who works with patients living with diabetes while they’re being treated at UMass Memorial hospitals. Learn why she chose diabetes, the differences between inpatient and outpatient diabetes care, and her typical day at work.  MEET JESSIN

The location of body fat varies in people and too much fat in the
belly area is a risk factor for diabetes. The purpose of this
research is to characterize how fat cells from the abdomen and
buttock regions are different and to study how these cells are
different in people with type 2 diabetes.  LEARN MORE

Type 2 diabetes research in the laboratory of Dr. Jason Kim at the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence, in a collaborative project led by Dr. Anath Shalev at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and her research team who had discovered a small molecule SRI-37330, have unveiled an exciting new process by which this compound effectively rescues mice from obesity-induced diabetes.  Compared to currently available therapies it could provide an effective new approach to treating type 2 diabetes.  LEARN MORE

Prior to completing their studies at University of Massachusetts Medical School, Dr. Ashley Millette Cote and Dr. Alexandria Capozza completed a capstone research project which analyzed the effectiveness of Diabetes Prevention Programs in Massachusetts.  They also developed an elective class at the medical school to teach future students about the best care available for people living with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.  FULL STORY

Scientists at the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence continue to gain new knowledge of type 1 diabetes by studying human tissues and human cells, to recreate the disease in our unique humanized animal models.  Newly published research describes our collaboration with the Melton Lab at The Harvard Stem Cell Institute.  Scientists were recently able to model type 1 diabetes autoimmunity using patient’s blood and stem cell derived beta cells.  LEARN MORE

Uncontrolled high blood sugar in young people with type 1 diabetes is common during puberty. Dr. Nwosu led a newly published study in the Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism that examined blood glucose data of pediatric T1D patients at the UMass Memorial Diabetes Center of Excellence. Results include a significantly lower A1c after one year, in the group that used a continuos glucose monitor.  LEARN MORE

UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence scientist Sally Kent's lab is credited with uncovering new information about how autoreactive T cells target beta cells in pancreatic islets. Dr. Kent is encouraged her breakthrough will contribute to the design of therapies for people living with type 1 diabetes. She's one of the authors of a published Perspective article in the July 2020 journal Diabetes which updates and reappraises what scientists have found over the past 30 years examining autoreactive T cell response in T1D.  FULL STORY

Amy Darukhanavala, MD, a pediatric diabetes physician at UMass Memorial’s Diabetes Center of Excellence, led a study comparing the success of continuous glucose monitoring at diabetes summer camp versus at home prior to camp. The research examined blood sugar data and quality of life, based on how the children felt about their diabetes in both settings.  STUDY RESULTS

Enteroviruses encompass a group of viruses that give rise to infectious illnesses which are usually mild. However, if enteroviruses such as coxsackievirus infect the central nervous system or heart, they can cause serious illness. Enteroviral infections are also associated with T1D, but how they contribute to this disease is not well understood. Jennifer Wang's lab is using stem-cell derived beta cells to study virus-driven immunology and beta cell dysfunction, with the ultimate goal of new treatments.  FULL STORY

Thanks to support from the Helmsley Charitable Trust through their Diabetes Data Innovation Initiative, the UMass Memorial DCOE is developing digital health solutions to efficiently collect data and train administrative staff to implement the systems. FULL STORY

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration asked five pharmaceutical companies to voluntarily recall a limited supply of metformin extended-release (ER) tablets 500 mg. Recent tests revealed high levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which is believed to cause cancer. FDA testing has not shown NDMA in immediate release (IR) metformin products, which is the most commonly prescribed type of metformin. LEARN MORE

Virtual telemedicine has been considered by many over the years to be well-suited for diabetes care. A recent study shows better A1c reduction in people who received telehealth care compared with typical in-person appointments. UMass Memorial patients who have received remote diabetes care during the coronavirus pandemic have been overwhelmingly positive about the process. Another published study claims people with type 1 diabetes have combined telehealth and technology with proper blood glucose management and monitoring to achieve better outcomes during the pandemic, as patients avoid in-person visits.
FULL STORY

UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence co-director David Harlan, MD, participated in newly published research that further characterized pancreases from adult donors with type 1 diabetes compared with similarly aged donors without diabetes. The study found the pancreases from those with both longstanding and recent-onset T1D to be approximately 45% smaller than pancreases from donors without diabetes.  To learn more about the study and its other findings, check out the FULL STORY

Type 2 diabetes research in the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence laboratory of Michael Czech, PhD, is investigating the behavior and function of various fat cells, with the goal of improving metabolism for a potential obesity therapy.  New data from a recent study was published in the journal Cell Reports.  FULL STORY

The Food and Drug Administration recently allowed continuous glucose monitors to be used in hospitals during the pandemic to help health care workers monitor diabetes patients while reducing their own exposure to the coronavirus. This week, UMass Memorial began using them to monitor the blood sugar of UMass Memorial's COVID-19 patients with diabetes. In recent years, the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence has revolutionized blood glucose management for all people living with diabetes who are admitted to Worcester’s UMass Memorial hospitals.  LEARN MORE

Alan Derr was named the Cammett Scholar for type 1 diabetes research, supported by a generous gift from UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence Visiting Advocacy Committee member John Cammett. Alan's role as a bioinformatician is to analyze the vast volume of data generated during the study of human insulin producing beta cells and the immune cells that attack human islets in people living with diabetes. FULL STORY

Type 2 diabetes metabolism research in the Guertin Lab examined time dependent changes in the mTORC2 signaling pathway in mature brown adipocytes (fat tissue). LEARN MORE

David Harlan, MD, interviewed Nobel Prize laureate Wally Gilbert, PhD, 40 years after the first human insulin for diabetes treatment was genetically engineered, thanks in part to his pioneering work in DNA sequencing. Dr. Gilbert is now an accomplished artist and after the interview they toured his impressive art studio in Boston. WATCH THE VIDEO

A new program within the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence is tracking patients at-risk for negative outcomes due to gaps in care by identifying their difficulties and guiding them towards available services and resources to control their diabetes. The ultimate goal is to prevent or reduce the risk of complications, lower healthcare costs, and improve quality of life by encouraging self-care diabetes management. LEARN MORE

The American Diabetes Association continues to recommend screening people living with type 1 diabetes for psychosocial health concerns. The UMass Memorial Diabetes Center of Excellence is one of few diabetes clinics in the country which currently employs multiple health psychologists on the diabetes care team. The pediatric diabetes care team at UMass Memorial developed and implemented a successful pilot screening program. The results were published in Journal of Pediatric Psychology.  FULL STORY

The UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence established The Glass Family Fellowship in Diabetes Research, through a gift from Scott and Patricia Glass. It was awarded to Richard A. Siller, PhD, a postdoctoral research fellow in the Maehr Lab. He's eager to collaborate with his fellow lab members to work toward creating a fully functional human thymus over the the next two years at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.  FULL STORY 

A new study in the Davis Lab on causes of metabolic syndrome was published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the official journal of the National Academy of Sciences. Data obtained from this research provides insight into some type 2 diabetes risk factors including high blood glucose and obesity.  READ MORE

A study by Camila Martinez Calejman, PhD, published in the journal Nature Communications revealed an unexpected link between mTOR signaling and the synthesis of Acetyl-CoA, a molecule with critical roles in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and the epigenetic control of gene expression.  It describes the importance of this link in brown adipose tissue, but the implications may extend to understanding other aspects of type 2 diabetes and cancer.  FULL STORY

Diabetes Center of Excellence scientists are part of the UMass Medical School Metabolic Network that connects the many laboratories and researchers who study various facets of metabolism and metabolic regulation on campus. It provides another opportunity to learn new biology, find potential collaborators and advance new technologies.  LEARN MORE 

In a clinical trial the Maehr Lab is creating human thymus glands using stem cells from the blood of volunteer participants. They'll be inserted into our humanized immune systems, along with insulin producing beta cells and immune cells created from the stem cells of those same blood donors. This will allow our scientists to study the interaction between an individual’s own cells, to investigate how and why the autoimmune attack is taking place. Once it’s determined what’s causing type 1 diabetes, we can then begin to test therapies within our humanized immune models.  LEARN MORE

A new technique to study human cells and tissues was recently developed at the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence. It’s another step forward in the continued effort to examine the insulin producing beta cells of humans living with type 1 diabetes and to learn more about the autoimmune attack associated with the disease. The new method allows our scientists to recover and further examine sufficient amounts of living human cells that they previously transplanted into our novel human immune models.  LEARN MORE 

Type 2 diabetes research in the laboratory of Michael Czech, PhD, includes studying the behavior and function of the various cells that make up adipose tissue, with a goal of improving systemic metabolism in obesity.  They contributed some of their lab's RNAi technology to a study published in The Journal of Immunology.  FULL ARTICLE  

Sally C. Kent, PhD, has been named the George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Foundation Term Chair in Diabetes. Dr. Kent studies autoimmune response in type 1 diabetes. Her lab is credited with uncovering new information on how autoreactive T cells target beta cells in islets, a breakthrough that will contribute to the design of therapies for people with type 1 diabetes.  FULL STORY

Guertin Lab graduate student Wen-Yu Hsiao presents an interesting perspective based on recent findings about what makes a fat cell “healthy” and why.  Their research examines how the metabolism of adipocytes impacts blood glucose and insulin resistance especially in people living with obesity and/or type 2 diabetes.  READ MORE

Rachael is a certified pediatric nurse and certified diabetes care and education specialist (CDCES). Her interest in working with children living with diabetes began while she was first studying to become a nurse at Worcester State University, and spent time at a camp for kids with diabetes. The most gratifying part of her job is helping families get through the overwhelming and frightening process of diagnosis, to the first few clinic appointments and eventually feeling confident that they can manage the disease.
MEET RACHAEL

The UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence education workshops use Conversation Maps® to teach a variety of diabetes topics to help people make lifestyle changes as part of their self-management.  LEARN MORE

People living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, even when well-managed, are at high risk of serious flu complications. September or October is considered the best time to get the vaccine. The flu shot is a safe and effective way to prevent or reduce the severity of previously mentioned complications.  LEARN MORE

Dr. David Harlan welcomed his longtime friend and fellow distinguished physician/scientist, Carl H. June, MD, to speak at the University of Massachusetts Medical School Department of Medicine Grand Rounds. They worked closely throughout the 1990's when they led the U.S. Navy’s “Immune Cell Biology Program." Dr. June is director of the Center for Cellular Immunotherapies at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, and is best known for his pioneering work developing CAR T-cell therapy for the treatment of leukemia. FULL VIDEO

The Messina lab is studying impaired wound healing resulting from type 2 diabetes. They've found that diabetes impairs wound healing by causing an injury to blood stem cells that affects a particular white blood cell which is the most important cell in the body’s response to a diabetic ulcer.  Loss of limbs is a major fear of people with uncontrolled blood sugars. This research is exploring a blood stem cell-based therapeutic approach to reverse what is one of the most feared complications of diabetes.  FULL STORY 

Dr. Corvera’s laboratory determined that there are more types of fat cells in the human body than originally thought. Prior research had shown two types of fat cells, white and beige. This new research uncovered at least five types of human fat cells which play different roles in how they affect metabolism.  They're now investigating human cell therapy, which consists of using the body’s own cells to increase metabolism, as a possible treatment for type 2 diabetes or its complications.  FULL STORY

A new study at UMass Medical School is designed to develop a questionnaire about peer mentor support for parents of children with type 1 diabetes, as well as young adults who are living with T1D. A peer mentor is a person who provides support and advice on diabetes management. Participants in this study will receive a $25 gift card as a thank you for partaking in each part of the study.  LEARN MORE

Dr. Lopez specializes in child and family health psychology. She provides bilingual therapy (English and Spanish) and enjoys helping people of all ages to achieve measurable outcomes with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The UMass DCOE is one of a small number of diabetes centers within the U.S. that has health psychologists as part of the care team.  MEET DR. LOPEZ  

The goal of this research is to create an implantable cell replacement device to be used as a therapy for people living with type 1 diabetes. Insulin-producing beta cells would be encapsulated in the device to protect the cells from the autoimmune attack, while also allowing those protected cells to survive and function.  FULL STORY

Fernanda Costa, RN, joins the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence with years of experience serving the Hispanic type 2 diabetes community. She’s fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, which will allow her to speak to our Hispanic and Latino patients in their native language. Costa takes pride in the fact that she has successfully educated many in this high-risk population, helping them to lower their A1c’s, control their blood sugars, and decrease their risk of future health complications.  FULL STORY

The second annual Joe “Nuzzy” Nozzolillo Memorial Foundation golf tournament raised $12,000 for the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence, surpassing their inaugural donation of $10,500.  Joe's family and friends are grateful for the care he received and they want to help other people in the area living with diabetes. They presented the check while touring the UMass DCOE research labs  LEARN MORE

Parents of young children living with type 1 diabetes were asked about the pros and cons of using continuous glucose monitors.  They described the benefits and the challenges.  We asked members of our pediatric diabetes care team their thoughts.  LEARN MORE  

Dr. Warnock spent 12 years serving in the United States Navy where she achieved the rank of Commander (sel). She specializes in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes management, insulin pump therapy, obesity, weight gain and regain. In 2018 Dr. Warnock was deployed for a three-month humanitarian mission in Guatemala and Honduras where she contributed to 15,500 patient encounters. Learn about what attracted her to the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence. 
CARE TEAM SPOTLIGHT

Dr. MacGregor conducted the first known study of its kind to evaluate the clinical benefit of having a behavioral psychologist who specializes in diabetes working within a diabetes clinic.  Read about why she believes it can potentially make a substantial positive impact on people’s diabetes management and outcomes.  FULL STORY

Dr. Harlan was invited to speak at the Endocrine Society's Fellows Series: Type 1 Diabetes Care and Management.  His talk titled "Going Beyond Insulin: Emerging Options for T1D" presented options beyond insulin therapy for people living with diabetes, including GLP-1 and SGLT use.  LEARN MORE

UMass Memorial offers convenient eye exams for patients with diabetes.  The 5-day a week clinic provides easy access to annual eye exams for our adult and pediatric diabetes patients while they’re already on campus for their diabetes related appointments.  LEARN MORE

The UMass DCOE was well represented at the American Diabetes Association’s 79^th Scientific Sessions in San Francisco, California.  Our team included award recipients, speakers and research presenters.  LEARN MORE

The second annual Herman G. Berkman Diabetes Clinical Innovation Fund grant has been awarded to Leslie J. Domalik, MD and co-investigator Asem Ali, MD.  Read about their project, intended to improve blood glucose control for all patients admitted to UMass Memorial hospitals who are living with diabetes.  FULL STORY

Laura Alonso, MD, The George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Term Chair in Diabetes, Director of Beta Cell Biological Studies at the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence, has been elected to the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI).  One of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious medical honor societies, ASCI supports the work of top physician-scientists whose biomedical research translates findings in the laboratory to the advancement of clinical practice.  LEARN MORE

Studying the islets of people with type 1 diabetes, the laboratories of David Harlan, MD and Sally Kent, PhD definitively put to rest a three decades old debate about whether beta cells express important immune genes called “human leukocyte antigen class II” (HLA Class II).  LEARN MORE 

Nancy Sidhom has been a nurse practitioner at the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence since 2013. She enjoys partnering with patients to help them better manage daily life with diabetes.  Nancy has a passion for proper nutrition and exercise, and strongly believes they are the foundation to proper diabetes self-management.  LEARN MORE  

A study published by the laboratory of Laura C. Alonso, MD, confirms the fidelity of a widely used technique to measure beta cell replication, despite doubt by some in the field.  The ultimate goal of Laura Alonso's research is to determine approaches to make more beta cells, so as to prevent or treat diabetes.  LEARN MORE

A new study by Benjamin Nwosu, MD, correlates the phenomenon known as partial clinical remission in children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes with cholesterol levels when they reach puberty.  FULL STORY

The Certified Child Life Specialist at the UMass Memorial Diabetes Center of Excellence supports children and families beginning at the very first office appointment. She works closely with the pediatric diabetes care team to provide age appropriate support and interventions.  LEARN MORE

Apoptosis of CD8 T cells is an essential mechanism that maintains immune system homeostasis, prevents autoimmunity, and reduces immunopathology.  Research from the Brehm, Greiner and Davis laboratories at the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence, was published in The Journal of Immunology.  FULL STORY

The laboratory of Silvia Corvera, MD, was featured on WCVB-TV/ABC in Boston and WJAR-TV/NBC of Providence about their research into transforming white fat into beige fat, to harness its ability to burn energy, accelerate metabolism and fight disease.  FULL STORY AND VIDEO 

Rachel Stamateris, an MD/PhD candidate at University of Massachusetts Medical School, was awarded a prestigious Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Individual Predoctoral Fellowship for dual-doctoral degree students, from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Her fellowship experience is intended to enhance Rachel’s integrated research and clinical training as predoctoral student. Over the next four years, this award will help to sponsor her research and promote her development into a productive, independent physician/clinician-scientist.  READ MORE

Isolating donated islets from a young man who had been treated for 17 years for presumed T1D, scientists found a rare genetic defect had caused his beta cells to function improperly.  Findings were published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation.  LEARN MORE

The UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence is among a few research centers worldwide studying human beta cells, the insulin producing cells found only in the pancreas.  The lab of DCOE co-director Dale Greiner, PhD, provided unique immunodeficient mice that allowed for the in-vivo imaging studies which identified a new biomarker for beta cells.  Findings are published in Cell Metabolism, December 2018.  FULL STORY

The Brehm and Greiner labs study human immune responses pathways for potential type 1 diabetes therapies.  "Lack of acute xenogeneic graft-versus-host disease, but retention of T-cell function following engraftment of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in NSG mice deficient in MHC class I and II expression," published in The FASEB Journal.   LEARN MORE

The First Annual Joe “Nuzzy” Memorial Golf Tournament raised $10,500, which was generously donated to the UMass Memorial Diabetes Center of Excellence (DCOE), to be used for continued patient care.  The family wants the money to help others being treated for diabetes at UMass Memorial.  They recently toured our research laboratories, and were impressed with what they saw.   
FULL STORY

Silvia Corvera, MD, and Michael Czech, PhD, are investigating whether technologies developed in their labs will harness beige fat’s ability to burn energy and accelerate metabolism in order to improve the body’s response to sugar and lower blood glucose levels.  READ MORE

One third of hospitalized patients have diabetes. Our inpatient team sees the many who already have diabetes while undergoing surgeries or procedures, or are being treated for another chronic illness or health complication. They also work closely with people getting diagnosed with diabetes for the first time, teaching everything needed to leave with “diabetes survival skills.” Our inpatient team ensures a smooth transition home by coordinating medication prescriptions and follow-up appointments.  LEARN MORE

Infectious disease and immunology expert Jennifer Wang, MD hopes to move closer to better understanding type 1 diabetes by working with a new animal model to identify pathways which could be stopped in order to prevent the disease from developing.  FULL STORY

Fat tissue has a remarkable capacity for growth. David A. Guertin, PhD, explains why his latest research of a fat-precursor cell which unexpectedly functions to suppress adipocyte production, is exciting to the future of combating obesity.  READ MORE

Words used to describe something shapes the way others perceive and value that thing.  The culture in diabetes tends to be the disease defines the person, such as, “he/she is a diabetic.”  Changing that language to “he is living with diabetes” or “she is thriving with her diabetes care” can make a world of difference.  “A1c and blood glucose numbers should simply be used as data to devise a treatment plan and action plan.  Not a definition of the person,” says Kristin L. MacGregor, PhD, a behavioral psychologist at the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence. “The truth is, you have the power to manage the disease, it doesn’t control you.”  READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE

Diabetes education has been shown to lower A1c by as much as 1% (similar to adding a medication but without the side effects). Research shows that people who have received diabetes education are more likely to utilize primary care and preventative services, take medications as prescribed and control their blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. As a result, those people have lower health costs.  The UMass Memorial Diabetes Center of Excellence offers an extensive education program covering a variety of topics. Both one-on-one sessions and group workshops are available.  LEARN MORE 

Thymus development research in the lab of René Maehr, PhD was featured as the cover story in Immunity.  Single-cell RNA sequencing was used to illustrate a framework for biological discovery and molecular analysis of thymus organogenesis (the production and development of the organ).  READ MORE 

Many patients do not understand the role and capabilities of a nurse practitioner (NP) when it comes to diabetes care.  NPs are taught both the medical model and the nursing model of care.  The scope of practice of a nurse practitioner varies from state to state. Meet Christine and learn how she provides care to patients at the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence.  LEARN MORE

The price of insulin nearly tripled between 2002 and 2013. The American Diabetes Association recently provided new recommendations for improving insulin access and affordability. Their policy statement addresses four key areas.  READ MORE

New research by UMass DCOE physician-scientist Benjamin Nwosu found that children with type 1 diabetes who experienced a “honeymoon phase,” had significantly lower LDL or “bad” cholesterol, five years after diagnosis. Children who do not undergo this honeymoon may experience worse outcomes over the long term—including cardiovascular disease.  READ MORE

The American Diabetes Association recommends including behavioral health professionals on diabetes care teams.  The UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence is one of few diabetes centers in the country that currently has behavioral psychologists on staff.  One of them, Kristin L. MacGregor, PhD, was published in Diabetes Care, examining exactly how close diabetes healthcare in the United States really is to meeting those recommendations.  READ MORE

David Harlan, MD, co-director of the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence, was quoted in a New York Times article about a new study published in the journal Pediatrics.  The research found children and adults with type 1 diabetes who followed a low-carbohydrate and high-protein diet, combined with smaller insulin doses than typically required with a normal diet, experienced “exceptional” blood sugar control and few complications.  FULL ARTICLE

Roger J. Davis, PhD was elected into the National Academy of Sciences.  Membership in the NAS is one of the highest honors bestowed upon a scientist in the United States.  He joins four UMass Medical School colleagues who have received membership in recognition of their for outstanding contributions to original research.  His work to explain the molecular mechanism by which inflammation contributes to diabetes, cancer and stroke has been among the most important in this field for more than two decades.  READ MORE

Dr. Laura Alonso hosted the Boston Ithaca Islet Club Annual Meeting at the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence. The weekend conference was attended by scientists from academic centers around the northeast United States and Canada, who research pancreatic islet function, development, growth, immunology and transplantation.  READ MORE

Although diabetes research centers are well defined by National Institutes of Health, there is no clear definition for clinical Diabetes Centers of Excellence (DCOE).  Dr. David Harlan, co-director, UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence collaborated on an article published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, in which they propose a framework to guide advancement for DCOE.  READ MORE

To better understand the functional and molecular properties of islets from donors with T1D, this research used an approach that studied the pancreas and isolated islets from the same donor, allowing better analysis of the development, properties and behavior of the islets.  LEARN MORE 

Nancy Morris, MD, Adult Nurse Practitioner in the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence, won the Excellence in Nursing Education Award.  The American Nursing Association of Massachusetts honors nurse educators for teaching, research and practice, recognizing innovative approaches to facilitate learning and professional development. READ MORE 

Sally Kent, PhD, a scientist at the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence, was recognized by the Network for Pancreatic Organ Donors with Diabetes with a Pioneer Award for her "continued dedication to create a world free of type 1 diabetes.”  Jenny Aurielle Babon, PhD, a postdoc in the Kent Lab, presented some of their latest research during nPOD's Annual Scientific Meeting.  READ MORE

Newly diagnosed children with type 1 diabetes sometimes experience a “honeymoon period” during which they are still secreting some insulin on their own and their blood glucose levels can temporarily be restored to at or near normal levels.  A study conducted by UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence physician-scientist Benjamin Nwosu, MD, has confirmed the accuracy of a new, simple method to determine whether children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes are experiencing this beneficial partial clinical remission.  READ MORE

Distinguished UMass Diabetes nurse practitioner, Sean Collins, PhD, has been promoted to U.S. Army Reserves Brigadier General and will serve as a principal advisor to the Pentagon’s Director of Health Affairs on Guard and Reserve matters. BG Collins has served on the forefront of the diabetes epidemic for more than 30 years.  FULL STORY

Sally C. Kent, PhD, and Jenny Aurielle B. Babon, PhD, have isolated and characterized a large bank of live islet-infiltrating T cells directly from the islets of tissue donors with type 1 diabetes. The findings, published in Nature Medicine, have direct implications for the design of therapies and preventative strategies for those with type 1 diabetes and those at risk for developing it.   READ MORE

UMass Diabetes Diabetes Center of Excellence once again hosted the Central MA Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes.  The signature fundraising event for the American Diabetes Association took place on the UMass Medical School University Campus.  More than 1000 people participated, including DCOE faculty, staff and families.  Entertainment included representatives from the Red Sox, Patriots, New England Revolution, Worcester Bravehearts, and Worcester Railers.  VIEW PHOTOS 

The Corvera Lab at the UMass Medical School Diabetes Center of Excellence has shed light on the benefits of beige fat.  The body's fat has the ability to generate beige fat, which could potentially be deployed within ourselves to treat diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease.