Research Programs

WHAT IS DIABETES?

Over 30 million people in the U.S. are affected by diabetes, and around 25% of these individuals do not know they have the disease. The prevalence of diabetes is increasing worldwide, with rising rates among youth being of particular concern. The disease is mainly classified as Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

All forms of diabetes are diagnosed based on high blood glucose levels. These occur due to insufficient levels of the hormone insulin in the blood, but abnormalities in several different tissues contribute to the disease. All forms of diabetes can also result in debilitating complications, including eye, kidney and cardiovascular disease. At the UW Medicine Diabetes Institute (UWMDI), our investigators study and treat all aspects of this devastating disease with a shared mission of a future free of disease related to diabetes and related metabolic disorders

The Institute draws upon the expertise of a wide range of investigators with complementary interests in diabetes, obesity, inflammation, lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis. Members of the Institute’s faculty conduct both basic research to clarify the mechanisms causing diabetes and obesity and their consequences, and translational research to transform their research findings into clinical solutions. Basic research at the UWMDI is comprised of 3 distinct programs.