January 16, 2007
Clark scientist garners $400K grant for diabetes research
 Worcester, Mass. - Clark University has been awarded a $400,000 grant from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) to fund a project that investigates protein assemblies linked to type 2 diabetes. Principal investigator of the grant is Clark assistant professor and Carlson Chair of Chemistry, Noel D. Lazo, of Shrewsbury.
Professor Lazo's research project aims to determine how a small protein named islet amyloid polypeptide forms assemblies that are toxic to the insulin-producing cells found in the pancreas. To do so, he will use a biophysical approach that includes experimental and computational methods. The long-term goal of his research is to develop anti-diabetes drugs that act as inhibitors of the formation of the toxic protein assemblies. The ADA grant also supports a post-doctoral fellow and a graduate student, as well as funding for the use of research facilities at the UMass Medical School in Worcester.
According to the World Health Organization, more than 171 million people carry the disease of diabetes—a number expected to double by the year 2030. In the United States, 21 million adults and children have diabetes, which is the primary cause of blindness, renal failure and lower limb amputations and is a major risk factor for strokes and cardiovascular disorders.
The three-year ADA award will end in December 2009.
Professor Lazo came to Clark in 2006. He received his Ph.D. at Texas A&M University, a master's degree at the State University of New York at Syracuse, and a B.S. at the University of the Philippines. He was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and Florida State University. Immediately before his appointment at Clark, he was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Neurology at UCLA. His current research group includes a postdoctoral fellow, two graduate students and five undergraduate students.
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