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Home Clinical Services Endocrinology Research
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Children's Hospital Boston's Division of Endocrinology operates one of the nation's most extensive research programs focused on pediatric endocrine disorders. With more than 50 basic science and clinical researchers, we are attempting to unravel the genetic and biochemical underpinnings of the endocrine system. We are working on new ways to preventing premature births, improve diabetes management, control obesity, enhance our knowledge and treatment of growth and development disorders, and address other endocrine malfunctions that threaten health and quality of life.

Specific research projects we are exploring include:

  • Better treatment of diabetes by harnessing the power of the internet to improve the flow of glucose-monitoring data between patients and their medical caregivers.
  • Massive parallel gene-scanning methods (gene microarrays with bioinformatics analysis) to find genes which cause diabetes and its complications.
  • Gene therapy strategies for rare metabolic disorders such as glycogen storage disease, with the goal to apply these techniques to other genetic disorders.
  • Hormonal and metabolic changes that promote excessive food intake as a result of diets characterized by a high "glycemic index" (i.e. those rich in simple carbohydrates and low in fiber and fat).
  • The role played by insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-2 in carbohydrate metabolism in fetal life.
  • The trigger mechanisms of premature birth, especially the body's main stress signal, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which coordinates normal fetal development and the timing of birth, and may stimulate premature birth in distressed pregnancy.
  • The role of the brain CRH, vasopressin, and oxytocin, in the regulation of the body's stress response.
  • The impact of various hormones such as CRH, leptin, neuropeptide-Y (NPY) and other factors on obesity and anorexia nervosa.
  • Regulators of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), estrogen and other growth factors during puberty and adult life, and their effects on development of the reproductive system.
  • The function of genes which control pituitary development, and their role in disorders which cause growth abnormalities and brain tumors.
  • Novel applications of computer technology, including integrated medical records, patient-centered computerized medical records, computer models of endocrine physiology and pathology, and patient feedback systems.

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