Timothy J. Koh, PhD
Professor,
University of Illinois Chicago
Featured in the Session: The Molecular Nexus: Inflammation, ECM, and Angiogenesis as Therapeutic Targets for Diabetic Foot Wounds
When
Saturday, June 6
at 3:15 p.m. CT
Where
220 (Level 2)
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
What is your presentation about?
Using cutting edge single cell RNAseq techniques, we recently identified novel populations of inflammatory cells in wounds that contribute to healing in mice without diabetes but whose function is impaired in mice with diabetes. I will discuss mechanisms by which these monocyte-derived cells with an antigen presenting phenotype promote healing and how they are dysregulated in the diabetes wound environment.
How do you hope your presentation will impact diabetes research or care?
Our findings provide insight into novel targets for improving the healing of diabetes wounds, by promoting the activity of a pro-healing subpopulation of these monocyte-derived cells or blocking the activity of a subpopulation that impedes healing.
How did you become involved with this area of diabetes research or care?
I have been studying the impact of inflammation on tissue repair for 25 years, first in skeletal muscle and now in skin. The urgent problem of chronic wounds in people with diabetes has been the focus of my laboratory for the past 15 years, in part through collaborations with colleagues who are clinical wound care specialists.