SourceMore than five years ago, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) Betty Rutherford Chair for Diabetes Research Lawrence C.B. Chan, MD, and his colleagues in the BCM Diabetes and Endocrinology Research Center, cured mice with type 1 diabetes by using a gene to induce liver cells to make insulin. Proving how the cure worked was the next challenge.
Today Dr. Chan's research provides the answer: adult stem cells. In the March edition of the prestigious science journal "Developmental Cell," Dr. Chan and his team show that delivering a gene called neurogenin3 can coax adult stem cells in the liver to become insulin-producing beta cells, stably reversing diabetes in mice. Dr. Chan, his team and BCM supporters are excited about this significant advancement and its implications for the future treatment and cure of diabetes in humans.
For decades, there has been "such a mystery" to diabetes, BCM Board Trustee James Chao said. Chao is genetically predisposed to the disease and has always been vigilant about his health. He said Dr. Chan has given him new hope for conquering the illness that plagues more than 23 million Americans.
"Dr. Chan is a pioneer in research and a very good educator," said Chao, whose family supports diabetes research through the Ting Tsung and Wei Fung Chao Global Foundation Fund. "Dr. Chan clarifies what diabetes is and how people can still have good quality of life. If he is able to find a cure for diabetes in humans, you would see the improvement in American health almost immediately. Such a discovery would impact the world."
This month, Chao and other advocates for Dr. Chan's research gathered at BCM's Diabetes and Endocrinology Research Center for a champagne toast that celebrated Dr. Chan's latest milestone in his quest to cure diabetes.
"The clinical implications of this discovery are phenomenal," said BCM Interim President William T. Butler, MD. "I've known Larry for 30 years. I've watched him grow from an instructor in cell biology to the distinguished position he has today. It's marvelous to watch people advance their careers, but keep their focus. In my mind, he is the epitome of a physician-scientist."
Dr. Chan said the BCM community fosters great discoveries.
"The reason I've stayed at Baylor College of Medicine for more than 30 years is because of the environment and support I have received," Dr. Chan said. "Community support is key to our success. We're excited about research and we hope you are, too."
Joanie Haley, executive director of the Robert and Janice McNair Foundation, said BCM Board Trustee Robert McNair and his wife Janice are impressed by the success of Dr. Chan and his research team. The foundation's McNair Scholars program will help BCM recruit additional emerging leaders in juvenile diabetes research.
"The McNairs are encouraged by the important transformational work Dr. Chan has done over the years," Haley said. "They recognize that juvenile diabetes affects so many young people. They would like to help find a cure. It would be huge to free children from the physical concerns of juvenile diabetes."
Through generous support from the American Diabetes Association, the Chaos, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Iacocca Family Foundation, the McNairs, Marcus Wray and additional groups and individuals, the work of Dr. Chan and others at BCM will continue until a cure for diabetes is found.
I saw this on the news the other day, and thought I'd post it here. With a new son, and a young daughter, I thought you might enjoy an influx of hope, Mikey.
