Why do some people get diabetes, and others don't? Why does the immune system attack and kill the pancreas in a child with Type I diabetes? Why do people lose the ability to use insulin, and develop Type II diabetes? Why does either form of diabetes wreck havoc on patients' eyes, nerves, blood vessels, kidneys and limbs? How can we prevent, slow or even reverse the disease and its effects?

These basic questions drive the work of dozens of U-M scientists, who toil late into the night in busy laboratories filled with cell cultures, gene sequencers, high-powered microscopes and protein analyzers.

Each laboratory group devotes itself to a key piece of the puzzle, focusing on the specific mysteries of cells, genes, molecules, hormones and proteins involved in diabetes and its complications. Click on the doctors name to read summaries of some of their work, and for links to further information.

Peter Arvan, M.D., Ph.D., Brehm Professor and Chief, Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes Division, Department of Internal Medicine

Charles Burant, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor, Metabolism, Endocrinology & Diabetes

Christin Carter-Su, Ph.D., professor, Physiology, Associate Director and Head, Biomedical Research Division, Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Center

Monte DelMonte, M.D., Skillman Professor of Pediatric Ophthalmology/ professor, Pediatrics

Barry England, Ph.D., associate professor, Pathology. Director of the Ligand Assay Core, MDRTC

Eva Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., professor of Neurology, Director, JDRF Center for the Study of Complications of Diabetes Director, Program for Understanding Neurological Diseases

Donald Giacherio, professor, Pathology/director, chemistry core, MDRTC

Randal Kaufman, Ph.D., Professor, Biological Chemistry

Richard Mortensen, Ph.D.. associate professor, Physiology/MEND

Martin Myers, M.D., Ph.D., professor, MEND

Howard Petty, Ph.D., professor, Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences

Donald Puro, M.D., Ph.D., professor, Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences

Liangyou Rui, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Physiology

Alan Saltiel, Ph.D., director, Life Sciences Institute, professor, Physiology

Jessica Schwartz, Ph.D., Professor, Physiology
Director, Program in Cellular & Molecular Biology

Martin Stevens, M.D., associate professor, MEND

Anand Swaroop, M.D., Ph.D., Falls Professor, Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences /professor, human genetics

John Williams, M.D., Ph.D., Professor & Chair, Physiology