Washington University in St Louis

The mission of the Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) Diabetes Research Center (DRC) is to support and enhance research in diabetes and related metabolic diseases. Now in its 40th year of continuous NIDDK funding, this DRC is located at an outstanding research institution with a longstanding tradition of excellence in diabetes investigation. Our aims are:

  • To create an environment that supports important as well as innovative research in diabetes and related metabolic disorders and attracts new scientists to the field.
  • To support cutting edge basic and clinical research related to etiology, pathogenesis, prevention and cure of diabetes through support of Biomedical Research Cores and a robust Pilot & Feasibility Program.
  • To raise awareness and interest in fundamental and clinical diabetes research through a dynamic Enrichment Program including conferences and symposia.
  • To translate new knowledge in diabetes to improved treatment of patients with diabetes.

Our long-term goal is the development of new preventive strategies and therapies aimed at improving the lives of Americans with diabetes and those at risk for diabetes and related metabolic disorders.

Partner Institutions

University of Kentucky University of Kentucky WUSTL Expanded Pilot & Feasibility Program
University of Utah University of Utah WUSTL Expanded Pilot & Feasibility Program
University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Wisconsin-Madison WUSTL Expanded Pilot & Feasibility Program

Research Cores

Animal Physiology & Phenotyping
WUSTL Diabetes Models Phenotyping CoreIrfan Lodhi PhD
The Diabetes Models Phenotyping Core provides state-of-the-art services to multiple funded research projects in the area of diabetes and its complications.
Assay - Human & Laboratory Animal
WUSTL Translational Diagnostics CoreJennifer Powers Carson PhD
The Translational Diagnostics Core incorporates a range of assays offered for human and animal hormones, peptides, and metabolites related to metabolic research.
Histology, Morphology & Imaging
WUSTL Cell and Tissue Imaging CoreJames Fitzpatrick PhD
Advanced cellular microscopy is a powerful tool for biological research and has an important role to play in the study of the pathogenesis and treatment of diabetes mellitus.
Histology, Morphology & Imaging
WUSTL Metabolic Tissue Function CoreFumihiko Urano MD PhD
The purpose of the Metabolic Tissue Function Core is to improve the efficiency of diabetes-related research by providing services related to the structural and functional analyses of tissues important in the pathogenesis and complications of diabetes.
Protein, Proteomics, Metabolomics & Mass Spectrometry
WUSTL Mass Spectrometry CoreXuntian Jiang PhD
The Mass Spectrometry Core provides rigorous mass spectrometry analyses to Diabetes Research Center (DRC) investigators that include quantification as well as structural characterization of diabetes-related biomolecules.

Center People

Center Director
Clay F Semenkovich Clay F Semenkovich MD Email
Co/ Associate Director
David Piston PhD WUSTL Pilot & Feasibility Program Email
Core Director
Jennifer Powers Carson PhD WUSTL Translational Diagnostics Core Email
James Fitzpatrick PhD WUSTL Cell and Tissue Imaging Core Email
Xuntian Jiang PhD WUSTL Mass Spectrometry Core Email
Irfan Lodhi PhD WUSTL Diabetes Models Phenotyping Core Email
Fumihiko Urano MD PhD WUSTL Metabolic Tissue Function Core Email
Center Member
Carlos Bernal-Mizrachi MD Email
Pilot & Feasibility Director
David Piston PhD WUSTL Pilot & Feasibility Program Email