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Dixon Kaufman is a Ray D. Owen Professor in the field of Surgery at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, focusing on islet transplantation. His early research projects demonstrated how cellular transplants of islets are susceptible to injury due to a non-specific inflammatory immune response, primarily mediated by macrophages and associated cytokine production, including IL-1 and TNF-a. His studies extend to large animals, making significant advances in immunosuppression protocols, which have been crucial in NIH-supported Clinical Islet Transplant (CIT) consortium clinical trials. Kaufman's research interests include the exploration of innate inflammatory responses linked to macrophage-generated pro-inflammatory cytokine production, which plays a critical role in early islet graft injury. He investigates specific cytokine ligand-receptor interactions that govern immune-mediated islet injury and has developed innovative strategies, such as delivering siRNA-functionalized gold nanoparticles to inhibit detrimental signaling pathways. Furthermore, his work incorporates real-time imaging modalities to monitor transplanted islet mass in vivo and has led to advances in tissue engineering to enhance islet engraftment. His contributions hold significant implications for future beta cell replacement therapies utilizing insulin-producing cell lines.
Department: Department of Computer Sciences