https://medicine.ouhsc.edu/research Parent Page: Research id: 36076 Active Page: Diabetes & Metabolic Disease Research id: 36783 Portal ID: 248

At the OU College of Medicine, researchers are working to address one of the most significant health challenges facing Oklahoma and the nation: diabetes and metabolic disease. From uncovering the molecular mechanisms that drive diabetes and obesity to developing new therapies, advancing prevention strategies, and improving outcomes for patients living with chronic disease, our investigators are committed to transforming the future of metabolic health.

Research in diabetes and metabolic disease spans departments, disciplines and campuses across the OU Health Sciences enterprise. Basic scientists investigate the cellular, genetic and metabolic pathways that contribute to disease development, while translational and clinical researchers work to transform those discoveries into new diagnostic tools, therapies and prevention strategies. Faculty across the College of Medicine collaborate on research addressing obesity, metabolism, nutrition, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, endocrine disorders, population health and the long-term complications associated with diabetes.

As Oklahoma's only comprehensive academic health system, OU Health Sciences provides a unique environment where research, education and patient care work together to accelerate discovery. Scientists, physicians, students and trainees collaborate in laboratories, clinics and community settings, creating opportunities to move promising discoveries from the laboratory to patients while preparing the next generation of researchers and healthcare professionals. This integrated approach allows scientific advances to inform clinical care while real-world patient experiences inspire new avenues of investigation.

A CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: OU HEALTH HAROLD HAMM DIABETES CENTER

Much of the diabetes and metabolic disease research conducted by OU College of Medicine faculty is carried out in partnership with the OU Health Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, one of the world's leading centers dedicated to diabetes research, treatment and prevention. Established to address the growing diabetes epidemic, the center brings together researchers, clinicians, educators and community partners with a shared mission to improve lives and ultimately find a cure for diabetes.

The Harold Hamm Diabetes Center serves as the hub for diabetes and metabolic disease research across the OU Health Sciences campus. Investigators pursue research ranging from fundamental studies of metabolism, obesity, genetics, immunology and the microbiome to translational and clinical research focused on prevention, early intervention and advanced therapies. The center's multidisciplinary programs explore the origins of diabetes across the lifespan, investigate the complications of diabetes affecting the heart, kidneys, eyes and nervous system, and develop innovative strategies to prevent disease before it begins. Through robust research infrastructure, clinical trials and collaborative partnerships, discoveries made in the laboratory are translated into new approaches that improve patient outcomes and population health.

As an academic center of excellence, the Harold Hamm Diabetes Center exemplifies the tripartite mission of education, research and patient care. Patients gain access to specialized care, clinical trials and evidence-based prevention programs. Researchers benefit from close collaboration with clinicians and access to real-world clinical challenges that inform scientific discovery. Students, residents, fellows and graduate trainees learn alongside nationally recognized experts who are advancing the field through groundbreaking research and innovative care models. Together, these interconnected missions create a cycle of continuous innovation that drives progress in the prevention, treatment and eventual cure of diabetes and metabolic disease.

Visit the Harold Hamm Diabetes Center Site