Van Gilst wins diabetes association grant

Molecular physiologist Dr. Marc Van Gilst's proposed investigation of the structure and function of a protein associated with type 2 diabetes earned him a three-year, $138,000 grant from the American Diabetes Association.

Van Gilst, who joined the Basic Sciences Division in 2005, will use the microscopic soil worm C. elegans as a model organism in order to rapidly characterize the structure and function of the protein HNF4a, an important step before drug development. Mutations in the protein greatly enhance susceptibility to diabetes. Van Gilst hopes his research will lead to safer and more economical diabetes treatments with fewer side effects.