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Diabetes and Metabolism

A collage showing two scientists in a lab, fluorescent pink and purple cells under a microscope, plastic tubes with red liquid, and a microscope next to a computer displaying data.

The Diabetes and Metabolism Program includes both basic and clinical investigation into the mechanisms that lead to the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes and seeks to identify novel approaches for the management, prevention and treatment of this disease.

Diabetes and Metabolism Program Research Areas
Diabetes is a disease that is characterized by persistently high blood glucose levels which, over time, may lead to nerve damage, heart disease, blindness, and kidney damage. Since the discovery of the pancreatic hormone insulin, most research has focused on the function of pancreatic islets in glucose homeostasis, advancing the idea that diabetes results from defects of insulin secretion, insulin action in peripheral tissues, or both. Despite these intensive research efforts, the incidence and prevalence of diabetes is increasing and current treatment options are limited. However, growing evidence indicates that the brain also plays a critical role in glycemic control and cooperates with the islet to maintain stable blood glucose levels. Thus, a better understanding of diabetes pathogenesis, including recognizing the important role of the central nervous system and crosstalk between different organ systems, is required to develop new strategies for the safe and effective treatment of this disease.

Our Diabetes and Metabolism Program covers both basic and clinical investigation into the pathogenesis of insulin resistance, inflammation, and central nervous system control of metabolism. Through strong collaborations and interactions between the diverse members of our research team, we are working to develop novel therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Diagram illustrating blood glucose regulation: pancreas (left) and liver, muscle, adipose tissue (right) linked to a brain and Elevated Blood Glucose center, showing pathways of insulin secretion and action.

Diabetes, Obesity and the Brain
Members of this program study how the brain senses and responds to circulating hormones and nutrients from the periphery to maintain energy balance and blood glucose levels. Our work has shown that defects in this system contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Researchers utilize state-of-the-art neuroscience technologies including single-cell transcriptomics and optogenetics to identify and characterize novel cell types and brain circuits that regulate blood glucose levels. This research recognizes the brain as a novel therapeutic target with untapped potential for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Glucose Homeostasis and Diabetes Pathogenesis
Our research examines the actions of hormones and nutrients in peripheral tissues that regulate metabolism and control blood glucose levels. In addition to insulin-sensitive tissues such as liver and skeletal muscle, a particular area of interest is the role of adipose tissue inflammation to obesity-related insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Nutrition, Hormones and Diabetes
Researchers in this program use basic and clinical studies to examine how diet, exercise, or pharmaceutical and surgical interventions can be used to treat and prevent type 2 diabetes. Research interests include how sex hormones affect insulin sensitivity, the effects of dietary and pharmaceutical treatments on energy and glucose homeostasis, and the mechanisms underlying the metabolic benefits following bariatric surgery.

A scientist wearing a white lab coat, safety glasses, and blue gloves uses a pipette to work with a gel electrophoresis apparatus on a laboratory bench, surrounded by lab equipment and supplies. Fluorescent microscopy image of brain tissue showing a central dark vertical gap, with clusters of green, red, and blue cells on either side, highlighting different cell types and structures.

Diabetes, Obesity and the Brain

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Gregory Morton, PhD
Research Professor of Medicine Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Director, Diabetes and Metabolism Program, UW Medicine Diabetes Institute
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William Banks, MD
William Banks, MD
Associate Chief of Staff Research and Development, VA Puget Sound, Adjunct Professor, Department of Psychiatry
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J. Ernie Blevins, PhD
Research Associate Professor, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition
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Mauricio Dorfman, PhD
Research Associate Professor, Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition
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Christian Roth, MD
Professor of Pediatrics
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Jarrad Scarlett, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
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Mike Schwartz, MD
Professor of Medicine Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Founding Director, UW Medicine Diabetes Institute, Robert H. Williams Endowed Chair in Medicine
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Ellen Schur, MD, MS
Professor of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Director, Nutrition and Obesity Research Center
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Joshua Thaler, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Metabolism Endocrinology and Nutrition, Director of Enrichment Program and Associate Director of Energy Balance Core, Nutrition and Obesity Research Center
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Brent Wisse, MD
Brent Wisse, MD
Associate Professor, Metabolism Endocrinology and Nutrition
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Glucose Homeostasis and Diabetes Pathogenesis

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Laura den Hartigh, PhD
Research Associate Professor, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, UWMDI P&F Program Director
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George Ioannou, MD, MS, FAASLD
Professor, Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Director, Hepatology, VA Puget Sound Health Care System
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Brian Iritani, DVM, PhD
Professor and Vice Chair of Academic Affairs, Department of Comparative Medicine
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Daniel Raftery, PhD
Professor, Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine Adjunct Professor, UW Department of Chemistry Member, Fred Hutch Cancer Center Mitochondria and Metabolism Center
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Hormones, Nutrition and Diabetes

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Bradley Anawalt, MD
Professor of Medicine, General Internal Medicine, Vice Chairman, Department of Medicine Chief of Medicine, University of Washington Medical Center
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Judy Chen, MD, FACS, FASMBS
Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Associate Clerkship Director, Medical Student Program of Education
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Karen Foster-Schubert, MD
Karen Foster-Schubert, MD
Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition and Medicine
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Nina Isoherranen, PhD
Professor and Milo Gibaldi Endowed Chair, Pharmaceutics
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Saurabh Khandelwal MD, FACS, FASMBS
Associate Professor, Department of Surgery
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Stephanie Page, MD, PhD
Professor of Medicine and Division Head, Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Founding Director, UW Medicine Diabetes Institute, Robert B. McMillen Professor of Medicine in Lipid Research
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