Deborah Robison

Remembering Jan Tuttleman, trustee and friend

by Deborah Robison on November 2, 2012 at 10:49 am | 0 Comments

Jan Tuttleman and her husband, Craig Lambert, in 2010.

Sanford-Burnham faculty and staff are mourning the loss of Jan Tuttleman, an Institute trustee and supporter, whose academic pursuits were matched by her passion for medical research. Jan passed away earlier this week.

“On behalf of Sanford-Burnham’s faculty, staff, and trustees, I want to express our deep sadness over Jan’s passing and our sincere appreciation for all that she brought to the Institute,” said CEO John Reed, M.D., Ph.D. “Jan was not only a devoted trustee, she was also a good friend to many at the Institute.”

Taking stock: obesity research progress with Takeda

by Deborah Robison on February 15, 2012 at 6:01 am | 0 Comments

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Sanford-Burnham scientists met with Takeda partner in Japan in January

Scientists from the Diabetes and Obesity Research Center and their colleagues from Florida Hospital recently returned from Japan, where they reviewed the progress that has been made at the mid-point of a research partnership with Takeda Pharmaceutical. The two-year collaboration focuses on the discovery and evaluation of new therapeutic approaches to obesity. In Japan, Sanford-Burnham scientists reported benchmark data that sets the stage for a key element in future drug development—the testing of obesity drug candidates.

“The data generated thus far lays the groundwork for analysis of how individuals respond differently to disease,” said Steven R. Smith, M.D., director of the Florida Hospital – Sanford-Burnham Translational Research Institute for Metabolism and Diabetes (TRI), where the clinical studies are being performed with volunteers. “This partnership with Takeda, TRI, and Sanford-Burnham establishes a model to accelerate the development of safe and effective therapies.”

Introducing the Partnership for Personalized Medicine in Florida

by Deborah Robison on February 8, 2012 at 6:01 am | 0 Comments

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Sanford-Burnham, Moffitt and Florida Hospital form Personalized Medicine Partnership of Florida

Sanford-Burnham, Moffitt Cancer Center, and Florida Hospital announced today that they will collaborate to create a Personalized Medicine Partnership of Florida (PMP Florida). The partnership will conduct research to speed up discovery and develop new treatments in the areas of cancer and metabolic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

The organizations will utilize new molecular and genomic technologies to discover, translate, and personalize interventions for preventing and treating diseases more efficiently to improve outcomes, while reducing costs. The partnership will speed up the discovery and development of new treatments by bringing together the complementary strengths of Florida Hospital’s large patient population and clinical research expertise; Sanford-Burnham’s fundamental research expertise and technology platforms; and Moffitt’s biospecimen bank (samples of tissue, cells, blood, etc.), data warehouse, and personalized medicine capabilities.

Sanford-Burnham experts talk about why Americans are fat

by Deborah Robison on January 6, 2012 at 10:11 am | 0 Comments

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Fireworks over the Sydney Opera House

New Year’s resolutions and dieting seem to go hand-in-hand. Setting a personal goal to lose weight and exercise more may jump-start the New Year but “February frustration” can derail even the most determined. Scientists in Sanford-Burnham’s Diabetes and Obesity Research Center recently shared their expertise on the causes of weight gain and the metabolic challenges that make it so hard to keep off the extra pounds. Their insights on genetics, diet, metabolism and lifestyle were included in a four-part series called “What’s making Americans so fat?” that ran in the Orlando Sentinel beginning January 1. Medical reporter Marni Jameson spoke with national obesity experts to compile a list of 40 reasons for why 60 percent of U.S. adults are obese or overweight.

“It’s not gluttony, and it’s not lack of willpower,” says Dr. Steven Smith, scientific director of the Florida Hospital – Sanford-Burnham Translational Research Institute for Metabolism and Diabetes. “No scientist in the field will say the problem is strictly one of willpower,” he says. “It’s a result of the way our genes are interacting with an environment that is stacked against them.”

Here’s an excerpt of how the experts weighed in:

All weight gain is not the same

by Deborah Robison on January 4, 2012 at 2:09 pm | 0 Comments

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Steven R. Smith, M.D.

Malnutrition in its many forms remains a world-wide epidemic. In the United States, more than 60 percent of adults are classified as overweight or obese, whereas third-world nations are struggling with under-nutrition and insufficient food supplies. A new study provides scientific insight that may benefit development of public health policy to influence healthy weight gain.

The study, published January 4 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), examines the impact of diets containing varying amounts of protein on weight gain, body composition, and energy expenditure. The research, led by Sanford-Burnham’s Steven R. Smith, M.D. and George Bray, M.D., Pennington Biomedical Research Center, found that total calories account for increases in body fat, while increasing the percent of dietary protein during overfeeding led to more lean body mass storage. This work appears to be the first to analyze the impact of dietary protein during overfeeding and provides guidance on dietary composition for healthy weight gain.

Research highlights: American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2011

by Deborah Robison on November 25, 2011 at 6:32 am | 0 Comments

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Drs. Daniel Kelly (left) and Ola Martin

Several Sanford-Burnham investigators presented their research findings at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2011 on November 13-16, where more than 14,000 clinicians and researchers gathered in Orlando, Florida.

During his lecture at the Cardiovascular Seminar Series, Dr. Daniel Kelly, scientific director of Sanford-Burnham’s Lake Nona facility in Orlando, presented his laboratory’s ongoing work to determine the role of “energy starvation” in the development of heart failure. The Kelly laboratory has found that mitochondria, the cell’s energy-generating machines, becomes dysfunctional during the development of heart failure caused by common disease states such as high blood pressure and heart attacks. Dr. Kelly also presented several strategies his laboratory is pursuing to identify new drug targets to replenish mitochondria in the failing heart, including using the power of proteomics (defining the levels of all proteins operating in a cell) and metabolomics (identifying all the body’s metabolites).

A Superhero challenge

by Deborah Robison on November 9, 2011 at 1:34 pm | 0 Comments

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Bring It! competitors aced the Superhero Slogan game, correctly naming the voices of Sanford-Burnham scientists.

The prevalence of diabetes in Florida has increased nearly 70 percent in the past ten years. To address this challenge, “we have established a ‘new-age’ Diabetes and Obesity Research Center here in Orlando,” said Dr. Daniel Kelly, scientific director of Sanford-Burnham’s Orlando campus, located in the emerging Medical City at Lake Nona, as he addressed an enthusiastic audience at Bring It! Orlando on November 3.

For the many corporate and individual supporters attending the fundraising event, the fight against diabetes had personal significance as diabetes now affects one in 10 Floridians, and most alarmingly, has spread to the pediatric population.

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Students find summer training opportunities close to home

by Deborah Robison on July 29, 2011 at 5:42 am | 3 Comments

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A few of Sanford-Burnham at Lake Nona's high school and college interns (L-R): Rosemary Persaud (University of Florida), Stefanie Raghunandan (University Of Flordia), Giavanna Rivera-Mohammed (Rice University), Mihir Tak (Trinity Preparatory School), Tofunmi Oshodi, (Cypress High), Alexa Roth (University of Florida)

High-achieving students from Rice University, Yale University, University of Florida and MIT returned to their homes in Orlando this summer to find training opportunities not previously available prior to Sanford-Burnham’s opening at Lake Nona in Medical City. For those hoping to become future scientists, summer is a time to land a coveted internship to study advanced sciences and work with practicing professionals.

Choosing lab time over beach time, a number of college and high school students are working alongside Sanford-Burnham researchers and learning about the daily realities of medical research. These scientists of tomorrow are gaining hands-on experience assisting in biology, chemistry, and histology labs. Some are participating in the search for biomarkers that may one day help clinicians diagnose a disease, while others are learning how to prepare slides of cells so that scientists can investigate cancer. These interns are mentored and exposed to the thrill of discovery; they also learn that patience and determination are required to pursue a career in science. For some who were unaware of the variety of career opportunities available in the life sciences, a summer spent in the lab helps to shape their future career choice.

For more blog posts about student research experiences at Sanford-Burnham, read:
An experience to last a lifetime
Students in Lab Coats
Welcome to “MeD Camp”

Building translational research

by Deborah Robison on May 26, 2011 at 3:25 pm | 1 comment

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Dr. Steven Smith and Dr. Stephen Gardell leave their marks on the new TRI building.

Dr. Steven Smith and Dr. Stephen Gardell sign the new TRI building.

The Translational Research Institute for Metabolism and Diabetes (TRI), a collaboration between Sanford-Burnham and Florida Hospital, is one step closer to opening its research facility. The 54,000 square-foot building recently reached its final height, and a special ceremony was held during which researchers gathered to sign one of the interior columns. Construction to enclose the building will now begin. The TRI, which studies diabetes, obesity and the metabolic origins of cardiovascular disease, will help bridge the gap between the scientist’s laboratory and the patient’s bedside. The TRI will unite scientists, clinicians and advanced technologies to spur translational research and rapidly create new, more effective treatments.

“We are witnessing an epidemic of obesity and diabetes in the United States,” said Dr. Steven R. Smith, scientific director of the TRI. “The main goal of the TRI is to generate new knowledge to improve lives through innovative research. By ‘topping out’ the TRI, we are one step closer towards developing Orlando as a medical destination.”

Japanese signing ceremony initiates new partnership

by Deborah Robison on February 7, 2011 at 9:41 am | 1 comment

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On January 31, Sanford-Burnham, Florida Hospital and Takeda Pharmaceuticalcelebrated their new research alliance with a signing ceremony steeped in Japanese tradition. Representatives from each organization met at Sanford-Burnham’s Lake Nona campus in Orlando to sign the agreement and exchange gifts.The drawing of one “eye” on a Daruma doll held special significance for the Japanese scientists. As Takeda executives explained, at the start of a new undertaking, partners color in one eye of the doll. Later, if discovery efforts are successful – isolating a new target or a good lead compound — the team will fill in the remaining eye. Dr. Paul Chapman, general manager of Takeda’s research division, joked that the particularly large doll was symbolic of the big challenges ahead. Takeda, the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan, is committed to discovering new therapeutics to treat obesity and diabetes.

“We are delighted to have found the world-class talent that we are seeking here in Central Florida,” Dr. Chapman said.

Eric Shinseki, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, tours Sanford-Burnham

by Deborah Robison on February 3, 2011 at 7:50 am | 0 Comments

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The Honorable Eric Shinseki, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), recently visited Lake Nona’s Medical City where he toured Sanford-Burnham and discussed potential collaborations with Dr. Daniel Kelly.“We’re keen to work with local health systems, and envision a variety of collaborative research projects with the VA,” said Dr. Kelly, Sanford-Burnham’s scientific director at Lake Nona.

New home for translational research

by Deborah Robison on December 14, 2010 at 1:06 pm | 2 Comments

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Dr. Steven Smith, executive director of the Florida Hospital-Sanford-Burnham Translational Research Institute for Metabolism and Diabetes (TRI), took control of a backhoe to help demolish an old facility on the site of TRI’s new research building. The three-story facility will unite Sanford-Burnham’s laboratory research with Florida Hospital’s patient-oriented studies to translate basic science discoveries into new treatments.

“We are witnessing an epidemic of obesity and diabetes in the United States,” said Dr. Smith. “Current statistics show that two-thirds of all Americans are overweight and obese and one in 12 has some form of diabetes. These staggering statistics call for decisive action and that includes innovative research.”

The new TRI facility will contain clinic space, testing rooms, medical imaging, a biorepository and advanced technologies to develop personalized treatments. The new facility is expected to be completed by the end of 2011.

“The TRI provides a virtual bridge between Florida Hospital’s Orlando campus and Medical City at Lake Nona,” said Dr. Daniel Kelly, scientific director at Sanford-Burnham at Lake Nona. “Instead of cars, information will speed back and forth on the bridge to accelerate discoveries leading to new treatments.”

Governor-elect Tours Sanford-Burnham to Highlight Job Creation

by Deborah Robison on December 10, 2010 at 4:03 pm | 1 comment

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Florida’s Governor-elect Rick Scott rolled into Orlando’s Medical City to visit Sanford-Burnham as the final stop on a five-day, statewide tour to discuss jobs and economic development. Dr. Daniel Kelly, scientific director of Sanford-Burnham at Lake Nona, showed the governor-elect around Sanford-Burnham’s Florida campus, which researches diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. Dr. Kelly explained his research on energy metabolism in muscles, which was recently published in the journal Cell Metabolism, and then introduced Dr. Philip Wood, who surprised the governor-elect by presenting him with a five-pound model of fat as he explained the medical complications that arise from obesity.

More than 200 business and civic leaders listened to Governor-elect Scott’s comments on economic growth. “My first priority is to hear first-hand from Florida’s business and industry representatives their solutions for creating good paying jobs here in Florida,” he said.

Florida’s Bioscience Leaders Convene

by Deborah Robison on October 29, 2010 at 12:12 pm | 0 Comments

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Drs. Stephen Gardell and Stephen Vasile represented Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute earlier this week at the 13^th annual BioFloridaConference. The conference is the state’s largest gathering of life science professionals and a showcase for Florida’s biomedical science industry. Both Sanford-Burnham scientists shared their insights into trends and issues facing Florida’s fast-growing biomedical sector.An early session focused on integrating research and clinical practice. Dr. Gardell spoke of Sanford-Burnham’s partnership with Florida Hospital and the formation of The Florida Hospital – Sanford-Burnham Translational Research Institute for Metabolism and Diabetes (TRI-MD), which bridges basic research and patient-oriented research. The TRI-MD is expected to accelerate the development of new ways to diagnose, prevent, and treat diabetes and obesity and their cardiovascular complications. Dr. Gardell explained the key elements of the partnership, including Florida Hospital’s large patient base and clinical research expertise and Sanford-Burnham’s basic science prowess and advanced research technologies.

University of Florida Joins the Lake Nona Community

by Deborah Robison on October 7, 2010 at 3:20 pm | 1 comment

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Almost a year after Sanford-Burnham dedicated its own research facility in Lake Nona’s Medical City, we helped celebrate the groundbreaking of the University of Florida Academic and Research Center at Lake Nona.Dr. John Reed, Sanford-Burnham CEO, spoke on behalf of all Medical City partners, to welcome the University to the burgeoning life science cluster, which now includes the University of Central Florida College of Medicine and the Burnett School of Biomedical Science, the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando, Nemours Children’s Hospital and the Orlando VA Medical Center.

“When Sanford-Burnham first began discussions about building an east coast research facility in Florida, we were excited by the vision for an innovative life sciences cluster that would harness the power of collaborative research. We were especially intrigued by the opportunity to work closely with University of Florida, recognizing the great research powerhouse that they represent,” said Dr. Reed.

Remembering Jan Tuttleman, trustee and friend

Taking stock: obesity research progress with Takeda

Introducing the Partnership for Personalized Medicine in Florida

Sanford-Burnham experts talk about why Americans are fat

All weight gain is not the same

Research highlights: American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2011

A Superhero challenge

Students find summer training opportunities close to home

Building translational research

Japanese signing ceremony initiates new partnership

Eric Shinseki, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, tours Sanford-Burnham

New home for translational research

Governor-elect Tours Sanford-Burnham to Highlight Job Creation

Florida’s Bioscience Leaders Convene

University of Florida Joins the Lake Nona Community

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