[1]

THE CHICAGO DIABETES PROJECT

NEWSLETTER

THE ICG CLEVELAND CONFERENCE ON MERICELLS

....................2

MY MOM’S STORY: THE RETURN OF MY SPONTANEOUS MOM!....................6

CELLMATES ON THE RUN: THE SHAMROCK SHUFFLE....................7

SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

....................9

CDP DINNERS.......9

DR. VEGA WINS AWARD FOR GOLD NANOPARTICLE ISLET RESEARCH...................10

DR. SCHOLL FOUNDATION...................12

THE CHRISTOPHER FAMILY FOUNDATION...................12

FUNDRAISING...................13

August 2010

Above: An islet treated with gold nanoparticles demonstrates a powerful new technology that has promising

implications for Islet Cell Genesis.

Read more on page 9.

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THE CHICAGO DIABETES PROJECT

Global Collaboration for a Functional Cure

August 2010

THE ICG: MERICELLS PART IIThe Chicago Diabetes Project Islet Cell Genesis Group (ICG) scientific team met at the Cleveland Clinic on March 1-2, 2010 to discuss laboratory protocol standardization, research goals, and future steps in the study of mericells as a potential source of insulin secreting cells in cell replacement therapy.

We wish to share The Chicago Diabetes Project global scientific team’s research progress since October 2009 to develop a functional cure for diabetes.

Cell ProliferationIn the past year, one of our team members at Johns Hopkins Universitiy had a breakthrough in the Islet Genesis aspect of our research. This lab was able to identify a new cell type, which may have the ability to become an islet cell under the right conditions. This is a new discovery and something, which was completely unknown to scientific literature prior to the research path sought by Chicago Diabetes Project team members. Their findings were published in the prestigious journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (Volume 107,

Issue 1, Pages 75-80). The article can be accessed on-line at:http://www.pnas.org/content/107/1/75.long.

As reported in a previous edition of this newsletter, these cells, which are a new class of adult stem cells found in the mouse pancreas, are able to form islet-like cell clusters that produce insulin. Meritxell Rovira, Ph.D., performed this work in Steven Leach’s lab at Johns Hopkins University. Since the last newsletter, the CDP has continued to study this cell type in the mouse model and has begun the search for these stem cells in the human pancreas.

On March 1-2, 2010, a conference for the Islet Cell Genesis Group (ICG) was convened. The aims of this conference were to discuss the

data and advances concerning the mericells in the past 5 months and to prepare an application for an NIH-sponsored investigator (R24 Grant). The Leach group, Oberholzer group, Salmon group, and Jensen group each held presentations to review recent data. Beneficial discussion resulted and helped solidify protocol standardization across labs to facilitate this research collaboration. Substantial work was made to prepare the grant application in terms of research plan content, budgetary components, and workload preparation. Individual contributions and roles were discussed within the larger framework of the collaborative research.

Under this grant, we hypothesize that adult mouse and human pancreas contain one, or more,

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multi-potent progenitor cell types; each residing in a unique spatial niche. Next, we also hypothesize that such cells can be isolated, expanded ex-vivo (out of the body), and given appropriate conditions, can be subsequently directed towards a mature pancreatic insulin producing cell type. Our work here will seek to: identify such novel multipotent cell types in the mouse and human pancreas; control their growth ex-vivo; and differentiate such stem cells into insulin producing cells. In this way, these ex-vivo expanded cells could then potentially be used for cell therapy for diabetes much in the same way islet transplantation is used in phase 3 clinical trials.

It was concluded that this is a research program with a set of basic research components linked to a translational component. In the short term, we expect to be able to clarify the

capacity of human progenitor cells as a feasible source for differentiated

beta cells or beta-like cells. Our studies will also test the biological efficacy of such cells, and address certain biosafety measures. It is

also clear that additional activities will be needed to

scale up progenitor cell isolation process for clinical use.

In the long term, we hope to establish clinically applicable methods for the expansion of

multipotent cells derived from donor pancreata and augment, or replace

entirely, the current need for donor-derived islet cells.

Johns Hopkins comes to Chicago, then Cleveland:

Following the successful meeting in Cleveland, Dr. Rovira came to Chicago for 10 days to

Most importantly, we have developed new methods [gold

nanoparticles] that can insert genes into cells. . .

THE MERI-CELLS TIMELINE

October 2009 March 2010 June 2010

Mericells presented to CDP Annual Meeting.

December 2009

The “mericells” were first scientifically described in the journal PNAS. 107(1):75-80.

The ICG meets again at the Cleveland Clinic to plan the next steps and standardize protocol.

Personnel and technology transfers commence at UIC (Chicago, Illinois).

Personnel and technology transfers commence at Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland, Ohio).

We . . . hypothesize that such cells can be isolated, expanded ex-vivo . . .and

can subsequently directed towards a mature pancreatic insulin producing cell type, given

appropriate conditions.

(312) 413-9763 [4] www.chicagodiabetesproject.org

help the Chicago team with the pancreatosphere formation assay. Additionally, work was done relating to testing the functionality of transplanted pancreatospheres in mice. The Chicago team has benefited extensively from this exchange of knowledge and can now successfully form pancreatospheres from the mericells.

The expertise of Johns Hopkins was also shared with the Cleveland Clinic when Dr. Rovira visited the Jensen laboratory in June 2010. Furthermore, Dr. Jensen visited Dr. Leach’s laboratory in June 2010.

The next step for the Mericells:Our team is now focused on how they can discover human cells that will perform as these rodent cells have but on a larger scale. Making such a discovery will be a monumental step toward our goal to develop a cell-based functional cure for diabetes.

The team at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) is continuing the work on Islet Cell Genesis. Our work focuses on removing factors, which block insulin producing cells from growing in culture. This is a very arduous and difficult process but we have been able to demonstrate some success in getting these cells to grow.

Most importantly, we have developed a new molecular cargo delivery method that can insert genes into cells. One of the post-doctoral fellows pioneering these new techniques, Raphael Vega, Ph.D., has just received an award and small research stipend by the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS). (To read more on this research see page 9). This new technique uses gold nanoparticles coupled with DNA to deliver the desired genes into cells. These same particles can also be coupled with protein to directly introduce growth factors into cells.

EncapsulationOur work in Encapsulation goes hand in hand with the work we do with the Islet Cell Genesis (ICG). We continue to work toward finding a method to encapsulate the islets in a bead, which will allow insulin, glucose, and nutrients to pass through to the body but will protect the islet from the body’s immune system. If successful, such a technique would allow us to transplant diabetic patients without the medications required to suppress the immune system. We have encountered several set-backs over the last year. The capsules have not performed as well as we hoped in pre-clinical tests. A strong reaction against the capsules, which we had not seen in rodents has occurred. Nevertheless, we continue to work on finding the reasons for this, and develop strategies to overcome it. To address these challenges and to plan our next steps for Islet Cell Genesis and Encapsulation research projects our global scientific team is planning to meet in Chicago in October 2010.

Phase 3 Clinical Trials for Islet TransplantationIn addition, at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), clinical work in phase 3 clinical trials for islet transplantation has been actively continuing. Currently, 17 patients have received transplants with 14 of those patients achieving insulin independence. Two of these patients are awaiting another

transplant, which is believed will result in insulin independence (one patient withdrew from the study). This important work continues and it is hoped to more patients will be transplanted this year. Some of these patients have been free of insulin injections for over 5 years. These patients need to continue to use immunosuppressant therapy which hopefully will be eliminated in future transplants when a successful encapsulation technology is developed.

The clinical work in islet transplantation at UIC, has been extended into a collaboration, sponsored by the National Institute of Health (NIH), with six other universities in the U.S. including the University of Miami, University of Minnesota, University of Pennsylvania, University of California in San Francisco, Northwestern University, Emory University, University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, and the University of Uppsala in Sweden. More information can be found on http://www.citisletstudy.org/.

It is hoped that within the next 3 years, islet transplantation will become an accepted procedure and the standard of care for worst-case diabetic patients that is reimbursable by insurance companies. At present, islet transplantation is still considered an experimental procedure, which means that research institutions must cover all the costs of the procedure and follow-up. This is a significant burden, and obtaining reimbursement by insurance

companies will mark an important milestone in the field, which will free up

important funds for the much needed research to make islet

transplantation available to all diabetic patients.

We will continue to provide you with periodic updates on

our research progress. Please continue to visit our web site:

www.chicagodiabetesproject.org.

Information for islet transplantation clinical trials with immunosuppression for type I diabetics is available on the CDP website http://www.chicagodiabetesproject.org/participate/. These trials are conducted by Dr. José Oberholzer at University of Illinois at Chicago and sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). For more information please call: (312-413-4314) or send an e-mail to islets@uic.edu.

SummaryThe progress and achievements in both cell proliferation and islet encapsulation is possible through philanthropic support. Continued philanthropic support, given the continued success of the pre-clinical studies in non-human primates and the confirmation of human adult pancreatic stem cells, may transform the hypothetical concept of the transplantation of an unlimited number of encapsulated islet cells as a functional cure for diabetes to a clinical reality. We are grateful to the individuals, corporations, and organizations that have supported the Chicago Diabetes Project research. ☐

Our clinical work in islet transplantation has been extended into a

collaboration with the National Institute of Health, and six other Universities in the

U.S. . . .

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(312) 413-9763 [6] www.chicagodiabetesproject.org

By Taylor JohnsonHi!  I am Taylor Johnson and my mom has Type 1 diabetes. I know that life with diabetes was a constant struggle for my mother. The daily ups and downs of blood sugar spikes and lows often left her weak and disoriented. She constantly had to worry about where she was going and what she was doing, because she had to make sure she had enough glucose for when her blood sugar dropped too low and insulin for when it rose to high. It was always a struggle for me as well.

Mom and I have always loved to do things together, hiking, camping, and horseback riding to name a few. Each event, although generally enjoyable, had become a very structured event. If we were going out in the woods for several hours, we had to make sure that we brought enough food and supplies in case she had an attack.

Even then, our careful planning wasn’t always enough. I remember several occasions when we were riding and mom’s blood sugar would drop. Sometimes we weren’t sure if we would be able to make it back to camp. There were even occasions when I would have to lead her horse back to camp because she didn’t have the strength to navigate.

Times like that would be terrifying for me. I was always thinking about what I was going to do if my mom passed out in the woods. How would I get her back to camp?  How would I get her help? The blood sugar attacks were not only when we were outside doing things, they happened at home as well. I recall one event when mom’s blood sugar dropped below 20. She was completely disoriented and was barely responsive. I went into panic mode. Desperately trying to raise her blood sugar, I began spoon-feeding her jelly and coke (a disgusting combination, but give me a break I was 12).

Slowly her blood sugar rose and she was fine, but I still remember how afraid I was. I remember thinking,

“What if I can’t get her blood sugar up? Will she slip into a coma? Will she die?” Those thoughts and fears were always in the back of mind. I lived each day wondering if maybe this was the day we wouldn’t catch it in time. 

The Chicago Diabetes Project has provided help and hope for my mom and me.  Since the transplant, I have seen my mother’s life transform. The constant planning and structure have been replaced by a new sense of spontaneity. Suddenly, every event doesn’t have to be completely thought out. We could go out riding for 2 hours or 6. We now had the freedom to choose. We have the freedom of spontaneity.

Giving my mom back her freedom was a great relief because it gave me back my freedom as well. I didn’t have to constantly watch her for signs of low blood sugar. I didn’t have to constantly worry that she would pass out 10 miles into the woods. We could just relax and enjoy our time together. I can never express the immense

gratitude and love I have for all the

members of the Chicago

Diabetes Project research

team. They have not only given me back my freedom, but they have given me back something more precious . . . MY MOM! my life. ☐

Printed with permission from Taylor & Suzi Johnson.

We now had the freedom to choose. We have the freedom of

spontaneity.

MY MOM’S STORY: THE RETURN OF MY SPONTANEOUS MOM!

Times like that would be terrifying for me. . .

what I was going to do if mom passed out in the woods. . . How would I get her

help?

Above: Taylor Johnson (left) with her mother Suzi Johnson (right) horseback riding.

(312) 413-9763 [7] www.chicagodiabetesproject.org

Running luck.This year the Cell Mates on the Run and the CDP debuted as Charity Partners in the Bank of America 8K Shamrock Shuffle.  On March 22nd, 52 CellMates ran the famous seasonal race and raised over $15,000!  Theweather, although not sunny, was significantly warmer than 2009 and dry by the time the race began.  It was great to be involved in the race for two reasons.

First, we were able to involve runners who are not ready for a marathon (the CDP is also partners in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon).  And, the exposure is amazing.  Although the race is only a little over 5 miles, 35,000 people participate.  The added exposure is great for our brand

identity.  The more we are recognized, the more we arefundraising!"  

~Rachel Paus, Marathon Coordinator for the Cell Mates on the Run, ☐

For more information about Cellmates on the Run, and how to participate. please visit: www.CellmatesOnTheRun.com.

CELLMATES ON THE RUN. . . RUNNING

THE SHAMROCK SHUFFLE

Thanks to your help. We are $15,000 for a functional cure for diabetes.

(312) 413-9763 [8] www.chicagodiabetesproject.org

(312) 413-9763 [9] www.chicagodiabetesproject.org

Summer Reflections . . .As the warm breeze slowly makes its return to Chicago, most students anticipate their summer vacation; however, for a dedicated group of high school students they will anticipate the start of a unique learning experience.  For over five years, the Chicago Diabetes Project at UIC has opened its labs to a group of underclassmen high school interns. 

These students experience a truly rare opportunity: to see how laboratory

research can potentially have a direct impact on patient care.  For 3 weeks, our interns will shadow researchers at the laboratory bench, surgeons on the transplant ward, and even investigate their own research project. 

In the end, we hope these students will gain valuable exposure and insight in the sciences. The Christopher Family Foundation and volunteer efforts from our clinical research team support this program.  This year, we received more applications and participating schools than in any previous year.  Our growing presence is an encouraging motive to continue offering this program, and it is evidence of our growing community footprint.

The Summer Internship Program is supported by philanthropy and this year has once again been supported by the Christopher Family Foundation.☐

THE 2010 SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAMThe Chicago Diabetes Project recognizes the importance of research and collaboration and that education and intellectual cultivation of the next generation of researchers is paramount.

For 3 weeks, our interns will shadow researchers at the

laboratory bench, surgeons on the transplant ward. . .

Top: Students from the 2009 Summer Internship Program preparing samples for analysis.

The Chicago Diabetes Project is grateful to Maryanne Terrasse and Mary Kinzer who organized and hosted a special dinner for the Chicago Diabetes Project in Lake Forest, IL . Twenty-two individuals gathered for dinner and to hear Dr. José Oberholzer make a detailed explanation on the goals and progress of the Chicago Diabetes Project: a global scientific collaboration to develop a functional cure for diabetes. This small setting allowed those attending to engage in conversation with Dr. Oberholzer to ask questions about the research, and to be updated on the time line for reaching the goal of developing a functional cure.

Judith Rae-Ross, an islet cell transplant patient, also provided her story as a 30 year type 1 diabetic. She explained the transformation of her life after receiving an islet cell transplant. She expressed her thanks for receiving those “tiny little cells” that have improved her daily life tremendously and allowed her to return to her career in teaching and lecturing. Judith is

pleased to tell her story and detail the positive difference in her life. She is a strong advocate for the Chicago Diabetes Project research that is focused on encapsulating the islet cells so she will no longer have to take the immunosuppressant therapy. Judith says, “ Dr. Oberholzer is more than a pleasant caring doctor. He is a life

changer, who one of these days will slay the mighty nasty dragon, diabetes.”

While progress is being made, it is being made slowly. The need for research funding remains as the largest obstacle to success on a faster time line. Individuals, foundations, corporations, organizations and the Chicago Diabetes Project running team the Cellmates On The Run Team (www.cellmatesontherun.com) are providing contributions to support the needed research. However, much more funding is needed to get to the finish line at a faster pace. ☐

If you are interested in hosting a similar event in your area, please contact Patricia Wager, Executive Director of

Development, (312) 413-9763 or pwager@uic.edu

CDP INFORMATIONAL DINNERS

Left to Right: Mary Kinzer, Dr. Oberholzer, Maryanne Terrasse.

(312) 413-9763 [10] www.chicagodiabetesproject.org

DR. VEGA WINS AWARD FOR GOLD NANOPARTICLE ISLET RESEARCH

The Genentech Presidential Student Mentor Award from the American Society of Transplant Surgeons is a highly competitive award that recognizes outstanding research potential in the field of transplantation.

Rafael Vega, Ph.D. was awarded the 2010 Genentech Presidential Student Mentor Award from the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) at this years' 10th annual American Transplant Congress held in San Diego, CA. This highly competitive award recognizes outstanding research potential in the field of transplantation, and provides funding for proposed research in the upcoming academic year in the form of stipends.

Rafael came to the University of Illinois at Chicago to pursue his M.D., after completing his Ph.D. in Biomaterials Chemistry with a concentration on Nanotechnology at Northwestern University. His dissertation focused on the application of functional nanomaterials for cellular therapeutics and biodiagnostic assays.

For the past 2 years, Rafael has been working with the Chicago Diabetes Project on the development of novel therapeutic nanomaterials to improve islet transplantation outcomes. He

intends on targeting and manipulating molecular signaling and growth factors to minimize inflammation, apoptosis, oxidative stress, amyloid formation, and immunologic mediators, which could potentially improve graft function or provide a new tool to the Islet Cell Genesis (ICG) group.

In a recently accepted research article in the journal Surgery, Rafael and his co-authors successfully demonstrated that gold nanoparticles could be modified and used as vectors to penetrate an islet without compromising islet function in vitro and in vivo; in a way that was once not available or possible. In the past, this has been problematic due to the complex multicellular architecture of the pancreatic islet. Now, a new technology is available that enables the insertion of genes into islets with toxicity rate of only 2%. Most importantly, mouse and human islets treated with gold nanoparticles were still able to reverse diabetes when transplanted into diabetic mice models. ☐

You can read more about Dr. Vega’s work at:

Clinical Endocrinology News:http://clinicalendocrinologynewsupdate.org/ArticleDisplay.aspx?id=9715

American Society of Transplant Surgeons 2010 Genentech Award Recipients:http://www.asts.org/awards/recipients.aspx

Outer surface of Islet treated with gold nanoparticles: Human islet transfected with Cy5-labeled gold nanoparticles (in red) after 48-hour incubation. The gold nanoparticles are seen to throughout the surface of the islet.

Inner 3D structure shows gold nanoparticles throughout islet: Confocal microscopy shows a 3D scan of an islet co-transfected with Cy5-labeled gold nanoparticles (in red) and a free Ca2+ sensor (in green). Homogeneous intracellular penetration can be observed with the Cy5 dye, versus the Ca2+ sensor which can only penetrate outer cell layers.

Raphael A. Vega, Ph.D. (M.D. Candidate UIC COM Class of 2011)

(312) 413-9763 [11] www.chicagodiabetesproject.org

(312) 413-9763 [12] www.chicagodiabetesproject.org

Over the past three years, the Chicago Diabetes Project is grateful for the support provided by the Dr. Scholl Foundation. These funds have been utilized for the Chicago Diabetes Project teams at the University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Geneva in Switzerland, Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, and the Cleveland Clinic for the Islet Cell Genesis (ICG) Project whose main focus has been to study the expansion of the “mericells,” an adult stem cell found in mice that form islet-like clusters in mice.

This is important work for the Chicago Diabetes Project in the pursuit to discover a method to produce an unlimited supply of insulin secreting islet cells that are safe for transplantation and will be available for individuals with diabetes. The research will continue through the procurement of high quality human

islets through a complex procedure of extraction from donated organs and the search for these same precursor analogue cells in the human pancreas.

Additionally, the Dr. Scholl Foundation supports encapsulation research being conducted at: Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, Norway; the Polymer Science Institute in Bratislava, Slovakia; Aquatech, Inc. in Geneva, Switzerland and the University of Illinois at Chicago. This research focuses on determining whether encapsulated islet cells in pre-clinical trials can remain functionally intact and survive for extended periods of time in animals while normalizing blood sugar levels in diabetic animal models.

Private gifts are providing the financial resources needed to advance the

Chicago Diabetes Project research. All gifts are tax deductible in the United States and an official gift receipt is issued by the University of Illinois Foundation. To learn more about how you can support the Chicago Diabetes Project research please see page 11. ☐

THE DR. SCHOLL FOUNDATIONThe Dr. Scholl Foundation was established by William M. Scholl, M.D. in 1947. It is a private, independent grant-making foundation created for charitable purposes. The Dr. Scholl Foundation is dedicated to providing financial assistance to organizations committed to improving our world.

For the past four years, the Chicago Diabetes Project global scientific team has received the benefit of funding from The Christopher Family Foundation.

This funding has been critical in advancing the studies for the development of encapsulation materials for the islet cells. The encapsulation material must be safe to be implanted and not cause a foreign body reaction. The encapsulation material must also allow insulin from the islet cells to flow from the capsule and to protect the islet cell from attack by the immune system. Currently being researched preclinically, It is hypothesized that the encapsulation of islet cells will eliminate the need for immunosuppressant therapy after an islet cell transplant.

Much of this research is being conducted at the Chicago Diabetes Project laboratory at the University of Illinois at Chicago; however, collaborating Chicago Diabetes Project research scientists at the Polymer Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences and at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology are

part of this team that have benefitted from this support.

Pre-clinical trials are currently underway with the encapsulation material and the goal is to validate the success of empty capsules and capsules housing islet cells. With this successful validation planned over the next year, the Chicago Diabetes Project team will begin to develop plans for human clinical trials with encapsulated islet cells. The current progress of the Chicago Diabetes Project encapsulation research can be attributed to the generous and continuing support of The Christopher Family Foundation.

Private philanthropy provides the majority of the funding for the Chicago Diabetes Project global research team with 100% of each dollar designated for research with no deduction for overhead or administrative expenses. ☐

THE CHRISTOPHER FAMILY FOUNDATION

Above: William M. Scholl, M.D.(1882-1968)

The Christopher Family Foundation

(312) 413-9763 [13] www.chicagodiabetesproject.org

Since 2004, the University of Illinois at Chicago Division of Transplantation has performed successful

islet cell transplant procedures; providing a new life free of daily insulin injections. We at the CDP

believe this gift is priceless. These patients require an immunosuppresive regiment to maintain insulin

independence. The Chicago Diabetes Project when successful will eliminate the need for

immunosuppressant drugs. The Chicago Diabetes Project research will enable us to move forward in

continuing phase 3 clinical trials that will help bring this gift of insulin independence to diabetics

throughout the world.

Private GiftsPrivate gifts are making our research possible. However, there is much work that needs to be

accomplished to develop a functional cure without the use of immunosuppressant drugs.  You can

help make this a reality. You can make a difference for individuals with diabetes and be a part of this

global effort to develop a functional cure. You can join us by making a tax-deductible gift to the

Chicago Diabetes Project.  There are no overhead or administrative costs deducted from gifts. Every

dollar contributed directly supports our research; and every dollar helps us to make research

advances.

Gifts can be made to The Chicago Diabetes Project in honor of a special event

(Birthday, Anniversary, Promotion, Retirement, and Holiday) or in memory of a loved

one. Please indicate this information when making your gift so we can notify the

recipient of your tribute. Gifts can be made online or by mail. If you would like to submit

a contribution in the mail, please complete the form on the following page. Online gifts

can be made on the secure website: http://tigger.uic.edu/depts/development/giving/

StartGivingUIC.html .

All US gifts are tax-deductible and are received and receipted by the University of Illinois Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. 100% of your gift is designated to The Chicago Diabetes Project.

For questions and additional information about making a contribution please contact:

Patricia WagerExecutive Director of DevelopmentUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoSurgery Department, Division of Transplantation840 South Wood Street, Suite 402 (MC 958)Chicago, Illinois 60612Phone: (312) 413-9763Fax: (312) 413-3483e-mail: pwager@uic.edu

FUNDRAISING

(312) 413-9763 [14] www.chicagodiabetesproject.org

840 South Wood Street Suite 402 Chicago, IL 60612 312.996.6771

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(312) 413-9763 [15] www.chicagodiabetesproject.org

(312) 413-9763 [16] www.chicagodiabetesproject.org

THE CDP SCIENTIFIC TEAM

Patrick Salmon, PhDJosé Oberholzer, MD Jan Jensen, PhD David Hunkler, PhD

David Hunkler, PhD

Quayum Nayeem, PhDJan Jensen, PhD

Igor Lacík, PhD Gabriella Kollarikova PhD

Steven Leach, MD Meritxell Rovira, PhD

AQUATECHGeneva, Switzerland

CLEVELAND CLINICCleveland, Ohio

GENEVA SCHOOL OF MEDICINEGeneva, Switzerland

Patrick Salmon, PhD Marc Guitierre, PhD

SLOVAK ACADEMY OF SCIENCESBratislavia, Slovakia

JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITYBaltimore, Maryland

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGOChicago, Illinois

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGNUrbana-Champaign, Illinois

UNIVERSITY OF LILLELille, France

AUSTRALIAN FOUNDATION FOR DIABETES RESEARCH Sydney, Australia

UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYTrondheim, Norway

Yong Wang, MD Barbara Barbaro, PhDJosé Oberholzer, MD Mike Hansen

Merigeng Qi, MD, PhD

Joan Martelloto, RN, PhD

Kjetil Formo, MSe

Francesca Gatti, MS

Adeola Adewola, PhD Daniel PaushterSonny Patel, MS

Dong-Young Lee, PhD* Joshua Mendoza-Elias, MSe*

Enza Marchese

Julie Kerr-Conte, PhD Bruno Lefebvre, PhD

Berit Strand, PhD Gudmund Skjak-Braek PhD

Kevin Kim, PhD Hyungsoo Choi, PhD

Bernard Tuch, MD, PhD Vijay Vaithilingam, PhD

Tricia Harvat, MSBrian Rady, PhD*

Katie Kinzer

Yan-Mei, PhD

Solomon Afelik, PhDRafael Vega, MD*, PhD

* Denotes degree candidate

Julien Arnold, PhD