Adria Giacca
MD
Affiliations:
Department of Medicine
Banting and Best Diabetes Centre, University of Toronto
Heart and Stroke Richard Lewar Centre of Excellence, University of Toronto
Institute for Medical Sciences, University of Toronto
Courses Taught: PSL425/PSL1425 (organizer), PSL374, JVC 3061
Research Synopsis
Research Interests: The primary theme of Dr. Giacca's research is the investigation of the effects of excess circulating energy substrates, in particular free fatty acids, on insulin action, secretion and kinetics, and the implication of these effects for the pathogenesis of diabetes. Secondary themes of research are the studies of the effects of nutrient and insulin excess on: i) atherosclerosis and restenosis; ii) mammary and colorectal cancer
Detailed Description: Dr. Giacca’s work is on the role of energy excess in causing type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis and cancer. She is working on the hypothesis that energy excess leads to these diseases through similar mechanisms which involve oxidative stress and inflammation. Her laboratory uses infusions of glucose and fat in rat and mouse models to determine the mechanisms whereby excess nutrients oppose the action of insulin and stress the pancreatic beta cell producing insulin, which ultimately causes diabetes. This is to identify targets to prevent and treat type 2 diabetes. She is also addressing the effects of glucose and fat, and insulin on atherosclerosis and cancer.
METHODS USED
Cell and tissue culture: Pancreas cells.
Procedures: Glucose clamp, RIA, vessel cannulation, western blot, atherosclerosis and colon cancer evaluation techniques
EQUIPMENT USED
Analytical balances, benchtop centrifuge, blotting apparatus, culture hood, culture incubators, departmental beta and gamma counters, dissecting microscope, infusion apparatus, low- and high-speed centrifuge, low and ultralow freezers, stirrer/hot plate, water baths
PRESENT TRAINEES
Alexander Ivovic, M.Sc
Ashraf Nahle, M.Sc
PRESENT COLLABORATIONS
Within the Department of Physiology:
Michael Wheeler
Gary Lewis
George Fantus
Scott Heximer
Amira Klip
James Scholey
Outside the Department of Physiology:
Edith Arany, Univ of WO
Michelle Bendeck, LMP
David Brindley, University of Alberta
Margaret Hahn, CAMH
Sonia Najjar, Univ of Toledo, Ohio
Dana Philpott, Immunology
Qitao Ran, Univ of Texas, San Antonio
Gary Remington, CAMH
Shirley Wu, Pharmacy
GRANT COMMITTEES SERVED ON
Agency: HSFC. CDA, CIHR
Committee:grant committee VI, grant committee IIB, DO2
Recent Publications
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25974101