UAB Comprehensive Diabetes Center (UCDC) Director Anath Shalev, M.D., recently presented at the prestigious 2024 Rachmiel Levine-Arthur Riggs Diabetes Research Symposium (Levine-Riggs Symposium), held in Pasadena, CA, which is organized by City of Hope^®, one of the leading research centers for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses.

Shalev was invited by conference organizers to present on the of topic of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) in the symposium session entitled ‘New Insights Offering Potential New Therapies for Diabetes’ and take part in the following Panel Discussion. She was also honored at the symposium dinner for the successful continuation of her work since having received the Rachmiel Levine Diabetes and Obesity Symposium Scientific Achievement Award 20 years ago.

TXNIP is a protein that plays a key role in cellular oxidative stress. Shalev’s research has shown TXNIP also plays a role in the dysfunction of pancreatic beta cells and alpha cells, contributing to the loss of insulin-producing beta cells and excessive glucagon secretion from alpha cells that leads to the hyperglucagonemia of diabetes. The Shalev lab has been able to translate these findings into novel therapeutic approaches targeting TXNIP, one of which just recently received clearance from the FDA to proceed to human trials.

According to conference organizers, for over 20 years, the Levine-Riggs Symposium has been committed to presenting the latest information on diabetes research. The symposium encourages dialogue between researchers and includes symposium talks, debates, panel discussions, oral presentations and a poster session.