Cheng-mao Lin, Ph.D., Assistant Research Scientist, with lab staff members Mandy Losiewicz, Jason Keil, and Sumathi Shanmugam, all part of the new diabetic retinopathy research team.
“The glue that holds us together is our common inter Another promising treatment model is emerging est in the disease, despite our different perspectives,” from Dr. Antonetti’s laboratory. He has discovered a observes Dr. Antonetti. small drug inhibitor that blocks a protein well known How will this approach play out at Kellogg? Very to scientists—vascular endothelial growth factor or smoothly, the scientists agree. “Kellogg has a strong VEGF. This protein weakens the blood–retina barrier, group of basic scientists exploring retinal degeneraa tightly sealed structure that protects the retina. The tion and regeneration, the same kinds of problems we discovery of the inhibitor came from Dr. Antonetti’s are investigating,” says Dr. Gardner. Then we have a study of mechanisms involved in the formation and major diabetes research program in breakdown of this important the same building. Dr. Gardner had barrier. Now his lab is engaged in “Michigan has a unique just returned from a meeting with “medicinal chemistry,” fine-tuning the Brehm Coalition, scientists who the drug candidate in hopes of blend of talaent that you employ the kind of broad-based moving it toward clinical testing. would be hard pressed to inquiry that is familiar to his team. A third tack comes from Dr. And finally, says Dr. Gardner, we Abcouwer’s lab, with its focus find almost anywhere else.” have people at Michigan who are on the role of glial cells in diabetic experts in the other complications retinopathy. Glia help maintain —Thomas W. Gardner, M.D., M.S. of diabetes. “Michigan has a unique the well-being of other retinal cells. blend of talent that you would be Innate immune cells called microglia hard pressed to find almost anywhere else.” constantly monitor the retinal environment, extending Not surprisingly, the promise of collaboration arm-like projections into the neural tissue and vascuamong diabetes researchers was a frequent theme durlature that his colleagues study. “These cells undergo ing the building campaign. Department Chair Paul R. distinct changes during the course of the disease, but Lichter, M.D., who recruited the team from Penn State it is not clear whether the changes are beneficial or University, saw the possibilities early on. “It stands to detrimental,” he says. reason that this critical mass of world-class scientists The three investigators pursue their own areas of specialty, but they are a fluid group, pairing up in is sure to discover new ways to fight the devastating ocular complications of diabetes.” various combinations to launch promising new projects. 20
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