IDOM - Integrative Research Program

Integrative Research Program

Mission
The mission of the integrative arm of the IDOM is to facilitate collaborative research among investigators associated with the 12 Schools comprising the University of Pennsylvania. The term ‘integrative’ also relates to the integration of research across different levels of analysis (basic, clinical, translational) that will result from the success of our mission.

Goals
1) To integrate people and programs through research and education.

2) To facilitate scholarly activities and enhance Penn’s prominence in research in diabetes, obesity, and metabolism.

3) In collaboration with the Translational arm of the IDOM, to promote the interaction of individuals across schools and disciplines to facilitate “bench to community” research.

Activities of the Integrative Research Program ↑top

Past Activities

May 25, 2010 - Gastrointestinal Retreat and Poster Session

Gastrointestinal Surgery as a Treatment of Obesity and Diabetes: Efficacy and Underlying Mechanisms represents an important effort by the Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism’s Integrative Research Program to showcase the positive clinical outcomes of gastric bypass surgery and to provide an up to the moment analysis of physiological systems and signals including elevated levels of the GI hormone GLP-1 that may contribute to these profound clinical effects. There are many laboratories and programs on Penn’s campus that are engaged in research related to this topic. We hope this retreat will bring Penn's large obesity-diabetes community together in an effort to focus resources to more effectively treat these diseases.

Dr. Harvey Grill, who is director of IDOM's Integrative Research Program and an expert in gut-brain communication, is organizing this interactive and exciting retreat. Dr. Lee Kaplan will deliver the keynote lecture. Dr. Kaplan's clinical expertise is in the areas of obesity medicine, as well as gastrointestinal and liver diseases and he has a particular interest in the effects of gastrointestinal surgery on type II diabetes mellitus. Attendees will also hear from other distinguished speakers: Dr. Robert Margolskee an expert on gut chemosensation and secretion, Dr. Noel Williams, a leading GI surgeon, Dr. David Sarwer, an expert on human obesity and Dr. Richard Schwab an expert in sleep medicine.

Another highlight will be presentation of posters on the range of topics under the banner: Gastrointestinal Controls of Energy Balance and Glycemia.

In addition to the sponsorship provided by the IDOM, we would like to acknowledge the Center for Molecular Studies in Digestive and Liver Disease and the Center for Weight and Eating Disorders for their generous support of this event.

May 12, 2009

Sylvan M. Cohen Annual Retreat with Poster Session on Aging (pdf)
“The Interface of the Aging Brain and Metabolic Disorders”

This year's Institute on Aging’s retreat will bring together IOA and IDOM faculty to identify intersections of interest between brain aging which include aging related neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic disorders. The format for the day will start with an informal luncheon for all attendees, which will allow time before the formal program to begin discussions of areas of mutual interest.

This is followed by the Sylvan M. Cohen Visiting Scholar Lecture that will be given by Bruce Yankner, MD, PhD, from Harvard University. Dr. Yanker will discuss the role of oxidative stress and its relevance to both the aging brain and complications of diabetes. Two Penn Presenters, Anne R. Cappola, MD, ScM and Joseph Baur, PhD, will follow Dr. Yankner. All three presentations will be followed by extended discussion sessions. After the formal talks have concluded, attendees and presenters will then proceed to a poster session.

↑top

December 10, 2007

The Integrative arm of the IDOM hosted the first IDOM Obesity Town Meeting. This meeting was widely attended. Provost Ron Daniels kicked-off the event, followed by Dr. Mitch Lazar and the event host, Dr. Rex Ahima.

Panelists for the inaugural event included:

Eugenie L. Birch, Ph.D. - City and Regional Planning/PennDesign
Virginia W. Chang, M.D., Ph.D. - Medicine/School of Medicine
Steven J. Fluharty, Ph.D. - Vice Provost for Research School of Veterinary Medicine
Harvey J. Grill, Ph.D. - Psychology/School of Arts and Sciences
Shiriki Kumanyika, Ph.D., M.P.H. - Epidemiology/School of Medicine
Daniel J, Rader, M.D. - IDOM Associate Director, Cardiology/School of Medicine
Virginia A. Stallings, M.D. - Nutrition/Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Karen Teff, Ph.D. - IDOM Associate Director, Monell Chemical Senses Center
Stella Volpe, Ph.D. - IDOM Assistant Director, Nutrition/School of Nursing
Thomas A. Wadden, Ph.D. - Psychiatry/School of Medicine
Noel N. Williams, M.D. - Bariatric Surgery/School of Medicine

Panel members were drawn from the various schools of the University and represented a wide range of interest in Obesity at Penn including cardiovascular disease, cell signaling, community outreach programs, gastrointestinal surgery, obesity, obesity neuroscience, obesity nursing, pediatric obesity treatment, and public policy. There was a lively discussion among the audience and the panel members. The panel event was followed by working groups that discussed facilitating communication between different obesity research interest groups and collaborations for obesity in scholarship and education opportunities at Penn.

↑top

Current Research Colloquia
Various small group meetings occur throughout the Penn campus that are led by IDOM members and contribute to the goals of the Integrative arm of the IDOM.

Neuro-obesity Research Group - This group includes Dr. Tracey Bale, Dr. Kendra Bence, Dr. Harvey Grill, and Dr. Theresa Reyes laboratories. Meetings are held monthly.
If you are interested in attending this meeting please contact Dr. Bale or Dr. Grill.

Cardiovascular Group. Meetings are held monthly. If you are interested in attending this meeting please contact Dr. Daniel Rader.

Weight and Eating Disorders Clinic. Meetings held the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month. Contact: Dr. Myles Faith.

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. This group has nutrition seminars and journal clubs. Meetings are held every Wednesday. If you are interested in attending this meeting please contact Dr. Virginia Stallings.