Chris gives invited departmental seminar in Chemistry and Biochemistry on diabetes therapeutics

Chris gave an invited departmental seminar this morning in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Mount Allison University. The seminar was based on tying together Chris’ various research projects at several institutes over the past nine years, into one fluid research program

Departmental seminars are typically attended by faculty and staff in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, as well as the Department of Biology and possibly other departments. They are also attended by all 4th-year Honours students in Chemistry or Biochemistry, who are registered in CHEM 4903 – Current Advances in Chemistry or BIOC 4903 – Current Advances in Biochemistry, respectively.

According to word of mouth and verbal feedback, the seminar was well received by all members of the department. Thanks to all who came out!

An abstract for the seminar follows:

Signals and sensibility: Is there hope for a type 2 diabetes therapeutic?

Christopher Anthony Dieni, Margaret and Wallace McCain Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mount Allison University

Type 2 diabetes is a disease that is currently growing to global epidemic proportions. More than 9 million Canadians are living with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. Not only is diabetes of extreme concern, but the many complications associated with diabetes can lead to extensive debilitations; ~30% of Canadians who died in 2008-2009 had diabetes. While the current “gold-standard” antidiabetic drug of choice, metformin, is used by hundreds of millions worldwide, like any drug it is not without risks and side-effects, particularly with prolonged use and in the elderly.

As the general population’s views on pharmaceuticals and their side effects continuously evolve, the search for alternative therapeutics to diabetes intensifies. This seminar explores the trials and tribulations associated with developing therapeutics using probiotics and nanoparticles as a working basis, along with probing the secrets or organisms that are naturally resistant to hyperglycemia.