Request for Funding

Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2001

Mentor: Cai Li,Ph.D.
Department: Physiology/Internal Medicine
Room number: Y8.222
Mail Code: 8854
Phone number: X83340
E-mail: cai.li@utsouthwestern.edu
Project title: Identification of STAT3 target genes in the beta cells

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): 0873-00-03-1

Project Type (patient-based research, animal-based research, or basic research; this characterization is only to permit a general classification for grouping similar types of projects)
Animal-based research

Brief Description of Project:
Type I diabetes is an autoimmune disease resulting from the selective destruction of insulin-producing beta cells. Cytokines may contribute to pancreatic beta-cell death in type I diabetes. Clarification of the function of the identified cytokine-induced gene patterns may unveil some of the mechanisms involved in beta-cell damage and repair in type I diabetes.
STATs (Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription) are a family of latent cytoplasmic transcription factors that are activated by many cytokines and growth factors. One member of this family, STAT3, is expressed in the pancreatic beta cells and can be activated by cytokines (such as leptin) and other ligands. To determine the functions of STAT3 in the physiology of the beta cells, we generated conditional knockout mice using the Cre/Lox technology, resulting in the specific deletion of the STAT3 gene from the beta cells only. In this project, we aim to identify the genes that are differentially expressed in the beta cells in the presence or absence of STAT3. Expression profiling will be performed using complementary techniques, including microarray, to identify STAT3 target genes in the beta cells.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:
Dan Motola, a MSTP student, rotated with us in the summer of 2001. A manuscript with Dan as a co-author has been submitted for publication.

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