Aaron I. Vinik, MD, PhD, FCP, MACP, Q1 Treat Intensively

Aaron I. Vinik, MD, PhD, FCP, MACP, is a Professor of Medicine/Pathology/Neurobiology, and Director of Research and Neuroendocrine Unit at the Strelitz Diabetes Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders. Dr. Vinik has brought international recognition to Virginia as a result of his research and recent discovery of a gene, which could prove to be a cure for diabetes. The gene, INGAP (islet neogenesis associated protein) is responsible, either alone or in combination with other factors, for stimulating immature cells in the diabetic pancreas to produce insulin. When INGAP protein was administered to diabetic hamsters it was shown to reverse diabetes in 40% to 50% of animals. Animal studies were followed by human, multi-center clinical studies in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, carried out by some of the most highly recognized investigators in the country; the results showed that even in type 1 diabetes an increase in C- peptide, (a measure of islet function), could be induced after 3 months of treatment.

We are very grateful to acknowledge Dr. Vinik as one of Diabetes In Control's Advisory Board members as well as a Contributor to our newsletter. For more on Dr. Vinik's many accomplishments just click on this link. To read more about some of Dr. Vinik's recent work, you can also check out these Diabetes In Control articles.