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PORTLAND, Maine

Pharmacology professor Amy Davidoff will present her research on diabetes and heart failure Feb. 10th

Amy Davidoff, Ph.D., University of New England professor of pharmacology, will discuss diabetes and heart disease at noon, Feb. 10, 2010 in Blewett 015 on UNE's Portland Campus.

The program is part of UNE Center for Community and Public Health Lecture Series, a year-long series designed to introduce undergraduate students, graduate students, and members of the public to health care issues facing Americans today.

Dr. Amy Davidoff will present her research on diabetes and heart failure. She will speak about what causes heart disease in diabetic patients, and how her findings may help in designing ways to prevent or slow down the onset of complications associated with diabetes.

Dr. Davidoff has been studying the pathogenesis of heart disease (i.e., diabetic cardiomyopathy) associated with diabetes (both type 1 and type 2 diabetes). She is trying to determine what factors cause heart failure (e.g., high sugar and/or high fats) and the cellular consequences that lead to heart failure.

Both in vivo animal models of diabetes and in vitro models are used to test whether various interventions prevent or reverse diabetes-induced abnormalities in heart cell function and insulin signaling. These interventions include clinically relevant drugs (e.g., metformin) and dietary supplements (such as blueberries).

The seminar is free of charge and seating is limited, so please RSVP by email Mary Louie at mlouie@une.edu by Monday February 8th to ensure your participation in this exciting event! Lunch will be provided.

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.