Investigator Highlight
Dr Frizzell is a Professor at the University of South Carolina, Floyd School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience. She is a leading researcher in metabolic biochemistry, focusing on how mitochondrial metabolism and subsequent protein modifications contribute to disease. Dr. Frizzell's work has advanced the understanding of diabetes, cancer, and neurological disorders through the discovery of novel disease biomarkers. With a strong translational focus, her research aims to identify new therapeutic targets that connect molecular mechanisms to clinical outcomes.
Research Team
Clinical Collaborator: Dr. Ambika Rao, Columbia VA Health Care System
About the Project
This project is investigating if the incidence of specific protein modifications is associated with the progression of diabetes-related complications. Diabetes affects a significant portion of South Carolina’s population and is a leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, and amputations. The study focuses on the measurement of stable protein adducts that are representative of maladaptive mitochondrial metabolism that may drive inflammation during diabetes. Working with a clinical collaborator, the research will use advanced mass spectrometry to measure these biomarkers in patients with and without diabetes complications. By identifying new molecular drivers of disease, this work aims to uncover novel therapeutic targets and improve prevention strategies for diabetes-related complications.
Why This Research Matters
Diabetes is a major public health challenge in South Carolina, with high rates of complications that significantly impact quality of life. This research seeks to identify new biomarkers and upstream therapeutic targets that could improve early detection and reduce the progression of diabetes-related complications.