T1D Center related activities

Dr. Nunzio Bottini is a full member of the Type 1 Diabetes Center (T1D Center) of the La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology (LIAI). In line with the strong translational focus of the Center, the Bottini laboratory aims to validate new drugable targets for personalized therapy of T1D taking advantage of our rapidly increasing knowledge of T1D genetics. Within the LIAI T1D center, the Bottini laboratory also works closely with the von Herrath, the Shoenberger and the Ley laboratories to explore potential pathogenic mechanism of action and other therapeutic approaches for type 1 diabetes.

The Bottini laboratory is currently focused on the tyrosine phosphatase LYP, encoded by PTPN22, a major T1D gene. LYP is a critical negative regulator of T lymphocyte activation. During his postdoctoral training, Dr. Bottini discovered that a mutation in the PTPN22 gene is a predisposing factor for T1D. Research is ongoing to understand the mechanism of action of LYP in T1D and its molecular regulation.

The Bottini laboratory is a proud supporter of the JDRF effort to find a cure for T1D. T1D-relevant research in the Bottini laboratory has been repeatedly funded by the JDRF in the recent past, and Dr. Bottini is currently a Member of the JDRF Autoimmunity Study Session.