أعضاء هيئة التدريس

Dr. Paul Thornalley is a researcher in studies of the reactive metabolite, methylglyoxal (MG), and its metabolism by glyoxalase 1 (Glo1) of the glyoxalase system. His research is particularly in the development of insulin resistance and vascular complication of diabetes in which he is considered a founding investigator. He led research showing MG is abnormally increased in diabetes where it is associated with the development of vascular complications, and in prediabetes and obesity associated with insulin resistance. He characterized protein and DNA glycation by MG, showing hydroimidazolone MG-H1 and imidazopurinone MGdG and major adducts of protein and DNA in vivo. Dr. Thornalley showed MG-modified proteins are misfolded and activate the unfolded protein response and MG-modified DNA is associated with mutagenesis. He led development of small molecule inducers of Glo1 expression or “Glo1 inducer” therapeutics to counter dicarbonyl stress for treatment of insulin resistance and microvascular complications of diabetes. The prototype, trans-resveratrol and hesperetin combination (tRES-HESP), corrected insulin resistance in overweight and obese subjects. He also made the first cell permeable Glo1 inhibitor prodrug, S-p-bromobenzyl-glutathione diester - an experimental antitumor drug active against glioblastoma and multi-drug resistant tumors. His h-index is 106 with ca. 40,000 citations of his work.