University of Washington

The University of Washington (UW) Diabetes Research Center (DRC) at the University of Washington is one of 16 Diabetes Research Centers sponsored by the National Institutes of Health to promote basic, translational, and clinical research on diabetes and related metabolic disorders.

The goal of the Diabetes Research Center is to foster and support both basic and clinical research in diabetes and related metabolic disorders with the ultimate purpose of translating findings into opportunities to prevent these diseases and to improve clinical care and outcomes.

The specific goals of the DRC are to:

  • Create a strong and diverse research base built on a principle of collaboration among affiliate investigators;
  • Provide services through five biomedical research cores, leveraging the available funding and expertise;
  • Interact with other key research programs and facilities at UW;
  • Operate a robust Pilot and Feasibility Program and sponsor other funding opportunities;
  • Sponsor an Enrichment Program comprised of a seminar series, endowed lectureships and symposia that create an environment of scientific interchange and education;
  • Provide training of graduate students, medical students and postdoctoral fellows.

Research Cores

Histology, Morphology & Imaging
Washington Cellular and Molecular Imaging CoreRebecca Hull-Meichle PhD
The Cellular and Molecular Imaging Core facilitates and enhances the research of Diabetes Research Center affiliates by providing access to specialized expertise and equipment required for high quality histochemical and morphological analyses in a cost-effective manner.
Islet Biology & Metabolism
Washington Metabolic and Cellular Phenotyping CoreSakeneh Zraika PhD
The Metabolic and Cellular Phenotyping Core provides Diabetes Research Center affiliate investigators with precise measurements of hormone secretion, glucose metabolism, mitochondrial function and intracellular signaling components critically important in diabetes and related disorders.
Molecular Biology, Genetics & Genomics
Washington CRISPR, Vector and Transgenic Mouse CoreKarin Bornfeldt PhD
The overall goal of the Vector and Transgenic Mouse Core is to provide DRC affiliate investigators with state-of-the-art vectors necessary to overexpress, knockdown, knockout, or alter expression of RNAs and proteins of interest in cultured cells, isolated tissues, and animals.
Protein, Proteomics, Metabolomics & Mass Spectrometry
Washington Proteomics and Bioinformatics CoreTomas Vaisar PhD
The overall goals of the Proteomics and Bioinformatics Core are to provide the powerful tools of modern mass spectrometry and complex data set analysis to Diabetes Research Center investigators to permit structural identification and quantitation of proteins involved in diabetes and its complications in support of both basic as well as translational and clinical studies.

Center People

Center Director
Steven E Kahn Steven E Kahn MB ChB Email
Core Director
Karin Bornfeldt PhD Washington CRISPR, Vector and Transgenic Mouse Core Email
Rebecca Hull-Meichle PhD Washington Cellular and Molecular Imaging Core Email
Tomas Vaisar PhD Washington Proteomics and Bioinformatics Core Email
Sakeneh Zraika PhD Washington Metabolic and Cellular Phenotyping Core
Washington Pilot & Feasibility Program 		Email
Core Associate/Managing Director
Jay Heinecke MD Washington Proteomics and Bioinformatics Core Email
Pilot & Feasibility Director
Sakeneh Zraika PhD Washington Metabolic and Cellular Phenotyping Core
Washington Pilot & Feasibility Program 		Email