University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota
The research emphasis in my laboratory is the development of cell-based interventions and immunotherapy targeting metabolic disorders using highly refined preclinical models. For over 15 years I have centered my research on the characterization, development, and refinement of animal models with the aim of enhanced understanding of pathobiology in animal models for enhanced translation to benefit human and animal health. As the program director of the Preclinical Research Center, Department of Surgery, I have established a program specialized in complex nonhuman primate (NHP) disease models. These models are designed to both maximize the predictive value of animal models and elevate well-being in research animals (Eur. J. Pharmacol 2015). My research group has established innovative methods for instrumentation and behavioral management techniques that support complex behavioral, hematologic, metabolic, and physiologic monitoring in cooperating animals. We have demonstrated that we can avoid model-induced stress confounding in sensitive metabolic studies, make animal modeling more clinical trial -like -relevant, towards improved accuracy and accelerated translation. In both primate and mouse models we have shown the relevance of this work for accuracy in interpretation of safety and improving reproducibility (Xenotransplantation, 2013). This work contributed to the achievement of prolonged diabetes reversal after porcine islet xenotransplant (Nat Med 2006) and induction of robust tolerance to islet allografts (Nat Commun 2019) in NHPs.
PRIM&R Service Award Presentation, and Plenary III: Lost in Translation
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM ET
Thursday, December 15, 2022
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM ET