Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Center Records, 1976-1998

In 1974, the U.S. Congress passed the Diabetes Mellitus Research and Education Act, thereby establishing the National Diabetes Commission. As part of its mandate to develop a long-term plan for combating diabetes, the Commission recommended establishing a nationwide system of diabetes research and training centers with three prime functions: 1) to support research in diabetes and its management, 2) to train diabetes researchers and care-givers, 3) to establish model patient-care units.

A group of interested faculty members formed a policy committee in May 1976 to examine establishing a center at the University of Michigan. Led by Dr. Stefan S. Fajans, director of the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the group developed a general plan for the proposed Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Center (MDRTC). In October 1976, the National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases (NIAMDD, a unit of the National Institutes of Health) officially announced the diabetes research and training centers program and issued grant application guidelines. In September 1977, NIAMDD awarded the University of Michigan a five-year $4.3 million grant from NIAMDD to establish its diabetes research and training center.

At its inception, the MDRTC was organized into "core facilities." The administration core facility oversees the other facilities, which are grouped into three programs: the research development and training program, which oversees six of the core facilities (research and development, biochemistry, biostatistics and data systems, diabetic animal, ligand assay, tissue culture, and human leukocyte antigen); the training and demonstration program, comprised of the diabetes center unit (DCU); and the continuing education and outreach programs, made up of the continuing education and outreach core facility (CEDO) and the educational development and evaluation core facility (EDEV). The administrative backbone of the MDRTC is provided by the Department of Postgraduate Medicine and Health Professions Education and the Department of Internal Medicine's Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism.

The concept behind the MDRTC is to take the knowledge gained by research directly to the patient. The DCU, as the patient care demonstration unit, takes responsibility for linking the lab to the patient. The DCU also serves as a lab for research in professional training and patient care.

The MDRTC uses internal funds each year to support new research, known as "pilot feasibility studies." For advice in its research activities, the MDRTC works with several committees. The Scientific Review Committee is composed of internal and external experts who review applications for pilot feasibility study grants. The Regional Advisory Committee provides feedback from Michigan communities. The University Advisory Committee represents the University of Michigan.

From the guide to the Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Center records, 1976-1998, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)