Mark A. Atkinson, PhD
Professor, American Diabetes Association, Eminent Scholar Chair
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Dept. of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine |
Currently Involved In:
The research program of Dr. Atkinson is broad in scope, but is ultimately directed at identifying
a prevention and/or cure for type 1 (i.e., insulin dependent, juvenile)
diabetes. Key to achieving this goal is an improved understanding
of the interactions between environmental, immunologic, and genetic
factors that underlie the inability to form immunological tolerance
to the insulin secreting pancreatic beta cells. In order
to achieve this goal, four avenues of research are actively pursued.
The first is that of identifying potential environmental agents (e.g.,
viruses, diet) that may either directly initiate or modify the progression
towards diabetes. The second involves immunogenetics; identifying
abnormalities in the humoral and cellular immune response which
in association with genetic susceptibility, influence the progression
to disease. It is hoped that these factors may be utilized
as markers for predicting future cases of diabetes. The third
involves that of type 2 diabetes in children and the role that obesity
might have on the development of type 1 diabetes. To this aim, studies
on the immunological properties of leptin are pursued. Finally,
the laboratory seeks to directly define methods (e.g., immunointervention
with self-antigens, gene therapy) for disease prevention in non-diabetic
subjects identified to be at increased-risk for the disease, or
diabetic subjects through pancreatic transplantation in association with novel
forms of immunotherapy.
Related Links:
University of Florida Center for Immunology & Transplantation
Juvenile Diabetes Foundation
American Diabetes Association