Diabetes and the related insulin resistance phenomenon termed Syndrome X are growing extremely rapidly in the industrialized world. These conditions lead to general metabolic decline, vascular disease, and organ failure. Dietary issues are a significant cause but there are also likely to be important genetic factors involved. Following cues from their collaborative studies, Dr. Laury-Kleintop is examining how genes that controls insulin receptor trafficking processes in cells may be altered in type II diabetic patients in collaboration with Dr. Prendergast. The promise of this emerging research is that certain experimental drugs developed for cancer management might actually be useful for the treatment of diabetes.

• Lisa D. Laury-Kleintop, PhD