Basic Research

The aim of our basic science program is to elucidate the role of the endocrine system in both health and the development of diseases.  Through this work, we hope to increase our understanding of the important physiological processes that are controlled by hormones and how alterations in hormone levels perturb the body’s homeostasis and cause disease in people.  Our goal is to apply discoveries we make in the laboratory toward the development of novel therapeutics for a variety of illnesses that effect children.  In particular, the laboratory of Dr. Brian Feldman, M.D., Ph.D. studies the impact of the endocrine system on stem cells.  Discoveries made in his laboratory have enhanced our understanding of how glucocorticoid hormones work in the body and have generated opportunities to develop novel therapies for a variety of diseases including diabetes and cancer.