Appointment
Assistant Professor, Medicine
Member, Stem Cell Institute
Member, Schulze Diabetes Institute
Expert Areas
Diabetes, Stem Cells
Research Focus
Stem cell scientist Meri Firpo uses several types of stem cells to improve understanding of human development and find ways to prevent and cure disease. She is perfecting ways to make new stem cell lines from embryonic and adult tissue. Firpo also is transforming stem cells into pancreatic cells in the laboratory. The pancreatic cells may be able to be used for transplantation as a future cure for diabetes. They also are used in studies that investigate how type 1 diabetes develops and how to fight the disease.
Sources of Funding
National Institutes of Health
Schulze Diabetes Institute
HRK Foundation
Pennock Foundation
Academic Health Center funds
