Skip to content | Change text size
 

Monash scientist named Victorian Innovation Fellow

16 July 2008

Professor Michael Cowley.
Professor Michael Cowley.

Professor Michael Cowley has been recognised with an Innovation Fellowship by the Victorian Endowment for Science, Knowledge and Innovation (VESKI).

Professor Cowley, who is renowned for his work on diabetes, has recently started at Monash after ten years working in the US.

He is working as part of the Monash Obesity Initiative on research into a therapy that has shown to reverse diabetes in mice.

Initial research by Professor Cowley discovered a group of neurons in the brain that detect blood sugar levels.

In the case of people with diabetes in combination with obesity, the brain loses the ability to sense blood sugar, and so is unable to regulate blood sugar levels.

Professor Cowley's research group discovered a molecule based on traditional Chinese medicine which restores sugar-sensing in these neurons and reduces blood sugar levels dramatically in obese mice.

His latest research will focus on advancing these discoveries to human therapy stage that allows the brain to detect glucose to reduce blood sugar levels in diabetics.

Head of the Department of Physiology Professor Iain Clarke said Professor Cowley's work would enhance the research profile of Victoria and Australia, and the University's objective to become recognised for its work in obesity research.

"He is a dynamic Australian with a very high international profile who will bring valuable expertise to the biotechnology industry," Professor Clarke said.

Professor Cowley said he was looking forward to continuing his work into diabetes and obesity.

"My main concern is the illnesses that come with obesity -- diabetes and hypertension -- and to develop new therapies that will complement existing treatments," Professor Cowley said.