Thomas Gardner, M.D., M.S.
Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Professor, Molecular & Integrative Physiology
Director, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Diabetic Retinopathy Center
Seeking to prevent and even cure the eye damage caused by diabetes
The overall goal of our research and clinical care is to help people with diabetes maintain good vision. We approach the problem by combining evaluations of patients and laboratory studies to determine how diabetes impacts the eye and the molecular mechanisms that give rise to these changes, and to develop new therapies.
We are testing the general hypothesis that altered growth factor signaling, combined with inflammation, impairs the survival of retinal nerve cells. We discovered the retina possesses a highly active insulin receptor signaling system and its activity is reduced by diabetes, and restored with systemic and intraocular insulin treatment. The retinal insulin receptor signaling pathway serves to maintain retinal cell survival in the face of diabetes, and insulin treatment reduces the rate of neuron apoptosis, but the activity of the pathway is impaired by excess nutrients such as glucose. Current studies are also investigating the role of diabetes on retinal protein synthesis and the underlying metabolic pathways.
Clinical studies are examining the impact of diabetes on visual function and retinal structure, and the impact of novel therapies, such as doxycycline, in patients with diabetic retinopathy.
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Taubman Emerging Scholars Program
Request for applications
Applications are being accepted for the Taubman Institute Emerging Scholars Program.
The applicant must be a junior member of the faculty at the University of Michigan; generally, that means holding an assistant professor title. The applicant must have either an M.D. or an M.D./Ph.D. It is required that candidates both conduct basic research and treat patients.
Applicants should submit a two-to-three page research proposal, as well as a current CV. Priority will be given to proposals involving translational research. Please submit material to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . The deadline is May 7, 2012.
Young Friends host festive NYC fundraiser
Reception introduced scholar candidate Dr. Parag Patil
About 125 supporters of cutting-edge medical research mixed socializing and science May 9 at a cocktail party in Manhattan hosted by the Young Friends of the Taubman Institute's New York City chapter.
The event introduced Dr. Parag Patil, a University of Michigan physician-researcher and a prospective Young Friends Emerging Scholar. Here's a clip from Dr. Patil's appearance on the TV program "The Doctors," where he demonstrates how deep-brain stimulation has helped a patient with Parkinson's disease.
Emerging Scholars are early-career clinician-scientists who show great promise in research aimed at new cures or treatments; through the Taubman Institute, donors support them with three-year grants while their labs earn the credentials to win broader funding support.
The Young Friends event, which raised a significant contribution toward the Emerging Scholars program, was held at the ABC Carpet & Home showrooms at 888 Broadway, Attendees enjoyed cocktails, appetizers, a silent auction and a presentation by Dr. Patil. The silent auction included jewelry, fashion items, a Botox consultation and treatment, Morgan Hotel Group rooms and the opportunity to bid on a meeting and photo with former President William Jefferson Clinton.
Taubman Research
Dr. Max Wicha: Some treatments actually increase cancer stem cells
Avastin and Sutent have been found to increase the growth of breast cancer stem cells in mice, according to Taubman Scholar Dr. Max Wicha, director of the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center.
