Diabetes research has long been an important focus for investigation at The University of Chicago. Research into the causes, complications, diagnosis and treatment of diabetes and other endocrine disorders continues to be the base upon which a great many investigator initiated research projects. Diabetes-related research is focused on areas as diverse as peptide and protein structure, pancreatic ß-cell biology, genetic studies, receptor structure and hormone signaling, growth factors and cell proliferation, endocrine system interrelationships, lipoproteins and atherogenesis, gene regulation, transcription factor structure and function, endocrine-related gene mutations, autoantibodies and autoimmune disease, immune function and transplantation.

The University of Chicago has a rich tradition of accomplishment in diabetes research. Diabetes research is a particular strength of the Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism and of The University of Chicago in general. Our physicians and researchers are known for their advanced research and innovative treatments for people with diabetes. Many of the fundamental discoveries were made by Chicago faculty members early in this century. In 1967, Dr. Donald Steiner discovered proinsulin – the immediate precursor of insulin – which led to the development of new techniques for measuring insulin secretion in humans and laid the scientific groundwork for the production of human insulin by recombinant DNA technology, the standard method by which insulin is produced today.

For the past 26 years the Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism has been the recipient of an NIH-funded Diabetes Research and Training Center. The Diabetes Research and Training Center's core laboratories include the Ligand Assay Core, Islet Cell Biology Core, the Molecular Biology and Genetics, Transgenic Core, and the Physiology Core. Each of these laboratories functions at a high capacity and provide services to investigators at The University of Chicago, as well as other institutions.

Diabetes Mellitus Research

The University of Chicago DRTC has been at the forefront of genetic studies of diabetes mellitus. It recently determined the genetic basis of one form of permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus due to complete deficiency of glucokinase (Njølstad 2001) and was responsible for four of the six forms of maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY). The University of Chicago also has a strong program in pancreatic ß-cell biology. Basic investigations of ß-cell function at the molecular level are stressed.

Thyroid Research

Thyroid research is another important strength of the Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism. Drs. DeGroot, Refetoff, Wondisford, and Cohen are all NIH-funded investigators working in various aspects of thyroid research. They form an invaluable training resource to incoming fellows as well as providing a firm intellectual basis for fostering new clinical and translational research projects. The thyroid research group interacts through an organized series of seminars and laboratory meetings in order to promote direct interaction among faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and laboratory staff for ongoing critical review and feedback. Our faculty members have achieved major breakthroughs in treatment protocols for thyroid cancer and thyroid autoimmunity. Fredric E. Wondisford, M.D., Chief of the Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, and his colleague Dr. Bruce Weintraub, M.D. developed a new drug which has revolutionized the treatment of thyroid cancer. This drug is a synthetic version of a human hormone (thyrotropin), which normally stimulates the thyroid to take up iodine and make thyroid hormone. Prior to the invention of this drug, patients had to stop their thyroid hormone replacement to receive cancer treatment, and some patients became seriously ill. Now patients can remain on hormone replacement and receive the same therapy. The University of Chicago was one of the first centers in the US to use this drug, which is now routinely prescribed. Samuel Refetoff, M.D., is one of the world’s foremost thyroid specialists. He discovered and determined the molecular basis of genetic thyroid disease known as Resistance to Thyroid Hormone (Refetoff Syndrome).