PROJECT SUMMARY: Center Overview The Washington University (WashU) School of Medicine (WUSM) Diabetes Research Center (DRC) has a goal of decreasing human suffering by pursuing the scientific theme of interdisciplinary cooperation across the translational research spectrum to develop new therapies and improve the health of Americans with or at risk for diabetes, its complications, and related endocrine and metabolic disorders. The DRC is needed to catalyze innovative thinking that includes diabetes as a biological variable by investigators in the research base with complementary skills. Consisting of 126 members supported by >$57 million in direct costs, the exceptional research base has expertise spanning the translational spectrum including groups that focus on Metabolic Regulation, Islet Biology and Immunology, Prevention and Control, and Complications. Their creativity is facilitated by the evolving services of six biomedical research Cores: Cell and Tissue Imaging Core, Diabetes Models Phenotyping Core, Metabolic Tissue Function Core, Mass Spectrometry Core (which has been substantially expanded), Translational Diagnostics Core, Diabetes and Infection Core (which is new). Novel approaches are nurtured by the WashU Pilot and Feasibility Program, which continues to launch the careers of high impact diabetes scientists, as well as the expanded Pilot and Feasibility Program, which fosters interdisciplinary research at the Universities of Kentucky, Utah, and Wisconsin. Dynamic Enrichment Program activities include fluid interactions with diabetes related T32 programs at WashU, the NIDDK Medical Student Research Program, and other NIDDK supported centers to raise awareness and interest in diabetes research. Now in its 45th year, the DRC at Washington University is positioned to continue translating new findings into strategies that improve the health of people with diabetes.