Like a dog chasing its own tail (but nowhere near as funny), type 1 diabetes is caused by a self-imposed attack on insulin producing cells. Here's your chance to chat live and learn about the latest discoveries to interfere with the automimmune confusion. Chat live with the head of the Immunogenetics Program at the Diabetes Research Institute, Alberto Pugliese, M.D.
The DRI program is specifically focused on understanding how genetic and immunological factors play a role in the development of type 1 diabetes and how certain genetic and immunological factors may actually afford protection from diabetes. The program is uncovering ways to interfere with the immune cells that attack the insulin producing cells in the pancreas resulting in diabetes.
In plain English, join Dr. Pugliese to enlighten yourself and ask any questions you may have regarding this impressive research. The chat begins at 9pm EST and those who miss it can catch the excitement in the transcript, to be posted shortly thereafter. I hope to see fellow IDDMs on the chat roster.
1. This is the SECOND TIME I am submitting a comment to this article.
Dr. Pugliese is doing a great service. He has been affiliated with the Research Team at DRI in Florida for some time. They (DRI) have been involved with Islet Cell Transplants which have not been very successful and the patients who undergo it have to rely on dangerous Immunosuppressive drugs which cause "other problems".
While prevention of T1DM is always welcome....how do you focus on those of US already laden with T1DM and its complications other than the taking of exogenous insulin and ACE Inhibitors? That is the Problem no one has been able to solve.
Posted at 11:14AM on Feb 8th 2007 by BetterCell