The University of Florida (UF) Diabetes Center of Excellence
The University of Florida (UF) Diabetes Center of Excellence is an international leader in type 1 diabetes research.
Their team is dedicated to understanding the causes of type 1 diabetes and investigating therapies to treat and ultimately cure the disease.
Key to this mission is collaborative research between scientists who work in the laboratory and physicians who work directly with patients.
This "bench-to-bedside" model means that scientific findings in the laboratory can be translated into medical treatments with the potential
to benefit those who live with diabetes. The UF Diabetes Center of Excellence hopes to learn how to prevent type 1 diabetes by gaining a clear
understanding of the interplay between genetic predisposition and environmental triggers. They also seek to test safe, innovative new therapies
that might mitigate beta cell destruction and reduce the person's dependence on insulin.
Principal Investigators for Clinical Studies and Trials
Mark Atkinson, PhD
Michael Clare-Salzler, MD
Michael Haller, MD
Desmond Schatz, MD
Janet Silverstein, MD
Chang Qing Xia, MD, PhD
Contact Information
For more information about clinical trials at the University of Florida Diabetes Center of Excellence, please contact:
Annie Abraham
Diabetes Research Group
University of Florida
Box 100296
Gainesville, FL 32610
Phone: 877-343-2377
Direct line: 352-334-1358
Fax: 352-334-1777
UF Clinical Trials and Studies Website
The University of South Florida (USF) Diabetes and Autoimmune Disorders Research and Treatment
With NIH awards totaling over $390 million, USF investigators are presently involved in finding a cause, in preventing, and in curing diabetes. Most of this research is being conducted under the tutelage of Dr. Jeffrey Krischer, USF Health Endowed Professor in Diabetes and Director, Pediatrics Epidemiology Center at USF. Below are examples of some of the NIH-funded multi-national studies that are currently at USF.
Finding a Cause for Diabetes
TEDDY - The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young: The primary objective of this 10-year $169 million NIH-funded multi-center, multi-national study is to identify infectious agents, dietary factors or other environmental exposures that are associated with increased risk of autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes. The study is being conducted at multiple centers in four countries (Finland, Germany, Sweden and United States) around the globe. It is noteworthy that in Florida, the only center that offers enrollment for patients is at the University of Florida, Gainesville. At the present time, enrollment of new clinical sites into this study is closed. However, in May 2009, TEDDY will be soliciting applications for new Center of Excellence awards for which, USF is developing the required infrastructure to submit a competitive application.
Prevention of Diabetes
Diabetes TrialNet - This $128 million NIH-funded study involves an international consortium of investigators who are exploring ways to prevent,
delay, or reverse the progression of type 1 diabetes. This trial is being conducted in 18 clinical centers in Canada, Finland, Germany, Italy, United
Kingdom and United States. In Florida, studies are being conducted at centers in Gainesville and Miami but not in the Greater Tampa Bay area.
TRIGR - Trial to Reduce Insulin-dependent Diabetes in the Genetically at Risk : This multi-center clinical trial is designed to test the hypothesis
that weaning to extensively hydrolyzed infant formula will decrease the incidence of type 1 diabetes in children with increased genetic susceptibility
to this disease. Funded by the NIH, European Union, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and many other foundations/agencies, this trial is being
conducted in 16 countries around the world and is the largest and perhaps the most ambitious primary type 1 diabetes prevention trial to date. While
the recruitment of prospective research participants is now closed, this trial was never available to residents of the State of Florida.
Finding a Cure for Diabetes
Diabetes TrialNet - (see above)
AIDA: Anti-Interleukin 1 in Diabetes Action - The aim of this study, which at the present time is limited to patients residing in European countries, is to test the feasibility, safety, tolerability,
and - cell potential efficacy of anti-IL-1 therapy in maintaining or enhancing function in people with new onset type 1 diabetes. It is expected that this
very important clinical trial will be introduced in multiple sites in the United States. In anticipation of this outcome; USF is developing the required
infrastructure to avail of this opportunity.