Diabetes Pro Quarterly - Summer 2022 - 20

Research News
2022 Pathway to Stop Diabetes Symposium Kicks off ADA's
82nd Scientific Sessions
The American Diabetes Association's (ADA's) Pathway to Stop Diabetes program, launched in 2013, is dedicated to bringing
100 scientists toward diabetes research through grant awards and mentorship that is meant to accelerate the impact of their
work. The Pathway program has awarded 34 grants to date, and its alumni have received an impressive 46 patents, founded
16 companies, and published more than 300 articles in high-impact scientific journals. This year's symposium highlighted the
following six alumni in a rapid-fire presentation format designed to showcase the greatest number of dynamic and innovative
researchers and their critically important discoveries.
* Dr. Sarah Tishkoff, University of Pennsylvania-Project
Title: Identification of genetic risk factors for type
2 diabetes in Africans. Despite knowing that diabetes
prevalence differs among people with different ancestry,
little is known about the genetic metabolic risk factors
that are associated with the disease. Dr. Tishkoff's
research found that diet is responsible for a substantial
portion of the metabolic profiles of African individuals
and that there are also a number of novel genetic variants
associated with cardiometabolic traits. Dr. Tishkoff argues
that diversification in genome sequencing is required to
accurately understand the role of genetic risk factors in
disease progression.
* Dr. Mayland Chang, University of Notre Dame-
Project Title: A therapeutic option for diabetic foot
ulcers. There is a concerning prevalence of lowerextremity
complications among people with diabetes,
leading to high hospitalization and mortality rates
and driving enormous health care costs. Despite the
>100,000 annual amputations in the United States, there
is only one U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)approved
drug. Dr. Chang's laboratory synthesized a
novel compound, (R)-ND-336, which is an inhibitor of
matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9), an enzyme that is
detrimental to healing of diabetic foot ulcers. (R)-ND-336
selectively constrains MPP-9 while allowing the closely
related enzyme MMP-8 to retain its function, thereby
promoting ulcer healing. Dr. Chang and her colleagues
are completing independent studies using a $4.6 million
award from the Department of Defense and were invited
to apply for a $7.5 million expansion award to support
an independent submission and phase I clinical trial
beginning in 2023. Dr. Chang's research has led to the
creation of the startup company SalvePeds, which will be
the parent body for developing (R)-ND-336.
* Dr. Michael Stitzel, The Jackson Laboratory-Project
Title: Single cell genomic resolution of human
islet cell type-specific defects in type 2 diabetes.
To understand longitudinal defects associated with
type 2 diabetes pathogenesis, Dr. Stitzel is assessing
islet cells across people without diabetes, people
with prediabetes, and people with type 2 diabetes.
He is particularly focusing on changes in cell number
across disease states, changes in islet cell populations
20 DiabetesPro Quarterly | SUMMER 2022
and subpopulations, and changes in islet cell typespecific
gene expression. Data have shown 14 islet cell
types present in people without diabetes, people with
prediabetes, and people with type 2 diabetes. However,
people with type 2 diabetes have fewer β-cells, an even
smaller percentage of insulin-secreting cells, and greater
percentage of exhausted/senescent cells. Dr. Stitzel
identified 511 genes with associated increased (n = 316)
or decreased (n = 195) levels of β-cells in people with
type 2 diabetes compared to donors without diabetes,
including 61 gene targets that impair β-cell viability and
insulin content. Dr. Stitzel's work is moving the needle for
therapeutic targets that could redefine gene therapy in
type 2 diabetes.
* Dr. Sumita Pennathur, University of California,
Santa Barbara-Project Title: Untethering diabetes
through innovative engineering. A mechanical
engineer, Dr. Pennathur is motivated to use her
engineering background to help her daughter, who has
type 1 diabetes, achieve better glucose management.
Dr. Pennathur is developing a device that provides
people with improved glucose management with three
key objectives: using microneedles for ratiometric,
fluorescence-based sensing via a needle microarray;
using electrokinetics for pumping; and placing an
electrode in the cannula to remove toxins such as phenol
and metacresol. Initial outcomes from the device have
been relatively successful, and Dr. Pennathur hopes
to start an early clinical trial next year, with the goal of
supporting an FDA submission. Dr. Pennathur's project
is supported by the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley
Charitable Trust and JDRF. The company she started
to develop this device (Laxmi Therapeutic Devices) is
named after her daughter.
* Dr. Ebony Carter, Washington University School
of Medicine in St. Louis-Project Title: Targeted
Lifestyle Change (TLC) Group Prenatal Care. Dr.
Carter's intervention focuses on prenatal care for women
who are at high risk for developing gestational diabetes,
including patients of color, individuals with a family
history of diabetes, and those who have previously
given birth to large babies. Women who meet the
study criteria are randomized to either traditional care
from their obstetrician or traditional care plus the TLC
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https://laxmitherapeuticdevices.com/

Diabetes Pro Quarterly - Summer 2022

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