| Introduction
|
| Endocrine Division | Diabetes
Unit | Laboratory
of Molecular Endocrinology |
| Lipid Metabolism | Neuroendocrine
| Thyroid Unit | Reproductive
Endocrine Unit |
Introduction
The modern history of the Endocrine Unit at the MGH, like so many things,
began with Fuller
Albright. Albright's physiological analysis of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism
established the agenda in the calcium field for the last six decades and created
a tradition of excellence in the study of diseases in mineral metabolism at
the MGH that has continued in the Endocrine Unit to this day.
The tremendous breadth of interests in the Endocrine Division
at the MGH has allowed the Endocrine Unit to focus in recent decades primarily
on the study and treatment of diseases of mineral metabolism. John Potts established
the more recent program in mineral metabolism at the MGH in 1968. Early milestones
included the purification and synthesis of parathyroid hormone and calcitonin,
the 
establishment
of the best available immunoassays for diagnosing calcium disorders, and initial
work in the therapeutic use of parathyroid hormone and calcitonin in man.
In more recent years, research approaches have included patient-based clinical
protocols, physiologic studies in animals, the cell/molecular biology of signaling
by parathyroid hormone, parathyroid hormone-related protein, and vitamin D,
and the use of genetically manipulated mice to combine molecular, physiologic,
and developmental analysis. The Endocrine Unit has developed a closely integrated
program of research, teaching, and clinical practice with a staff that now
includes 19 faculty members, 30 clinical and research fellows, and 28 technical
and administrative personnel.
Endocrine Division
The Endocrine Division provides care for patients with hormonal disorders
such as diabetes, thyroid disease, osteoporosis, pituitary gland tumors, cholesterol
problems, and infertility. The Endocrine Division also conducts research on
hormonal diseases and on the function of the normal endocrine system. A wide-ranging
teaching program instructs medical students, residents, and fellows in the
care of patients with hormonal disorders and prepares fellows for careers
in endocrine research and practice.
The Endocrine Division's Program Directors, led by a rotating Division Chief, takes primary responsibility for the teaching program. This group also assures coordination between the several Units within the Endocrine Division in their operation of several clinical practices and research programs. The participating Units include the Diabetes Unit, the Endocrine Unit, the Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, the Lipid Metabolism Unit, the Neuroendocrine Unit, the Thyroid Unit, and the Reproductive Endocrine Unit. The clinical and research programs of the individual Units are described on their respective home pages.
Lipid Metabolism
The Lipid Metabolism Unit activities focus on the role of lipids and lipoproteins
in artherosclerosis.
The Unit engages in both clinical and research activities. The clinical effort
is devoted to operating the MGH Lipid Clinic and a Partner's affiliated outpatient
lipid clinic in New Bedford, Massachusetts. These clinical sites participate
in clinical trials of lipid-lowering agents as well as the recruitment of
patients for genetic studies of lipid disorders.
The research activities of the LMU are centered on the role of macrophages and their receptors in artherosclerosis lesion formation. In addition, the mechanism by which high density lipoproteins parotect against artherosclerosis is investigated in cell biologic work involving patients with low HDL syndromes, such as Tangier disease. The Nessel Gene Therapy Center, also directed by the Chief of the Lipid Metabolism Unit, is pursuing work aimed at the development of clinically useful vectors for gene delivery and has recently generated a self-resolving adenovirus designed to eliminate late viral gene expression. This vector is currently being tested to determine if its features might permit its safe deployment in clinical gene therapy trials.
Thyroid
Unit
The Massachusetts General Hospital Thyroid Unit is part of the Division of
Endocrinology in the 
Department
of Medicine. Massachusetts General Hospital is a major teaching hospital of
Harvard Medical School, and faculty and fellows have academic appointments
at Harvard.
Fellowship
Training occurs through a combined clinical and research fellowship in the
Endocrine Division. The Unit offers both inpatient and consultative services
and outpatient clinical services. Outpatients are seen in Thyroid Associates
or in the private practices of the faculty.