Research

Currently, all the full-time physicians in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, and Nutrition are involved in some form of medical research or scholarship and a third of them have major commitments to laboratory-based research. The research performed within the group varies widely in both type and topic. The types of research span a continuum from basic science, to clinical investigation, to new drug trials (navigate to a type of research with the sidebar navigation).

Background

Mayo Clinic has a long and strong history in endocrine research. Several past and current presidents of National and International Endocrine Societies have Mayo staff credentials.

In 1914, Dr. Edward Kendall first purified and structurally identified thyroxine, the principal thyroid hormone. Subsequently, in 1950 he received the Nobel Prize for the isolation, identification and synthesis of adrenocortical steroids including cortisone and for its introduction as an antiinflammatory agent for the treatment of arthritis, other such disorders and adrenal insufficiency.