My research is primarily involved in the development, prevention and treatment of type 1 (insulin-dependent or juvenile-onset) diabetes.

I am an investigator in several multicenter clinical trials involved in preventing type 1 diabetes. In addition, I collaborate with basic-science researchers from the BC Research Institute and from the The Centre of Human Islet Transplant and Beta Cell Regeneration at VGH, helping provide clinical material (most commonly, blood samples) for their research.

I also maintain our Division's large website providing resources for families of children with diabetes and other endocrine disorders, and for the professionals caring for these patients.

Most recently, working with local and provincial resources, I have helped initiate an endocrine treatment program for transgendered youth.

I am currently involved in two multicenter trials involved with either the prevention or the early treatment of type 1 diabetes: the Diabetes TrialNet and the TRIGR (Trial to Reduce IDDM in the Genetically at Risk).

I also work closely with basic-science researchers at BCRI and at The Centre of Human Islet Transplant and Beta Cell Regeneration at VGH on an variety of studies related to the various immunological processes involved in the development of type 1 diabetes in humans.

Finally, I am a co-investigator in research evaluating a comprehensive provincial health care model for children with diabetes using existing population databases.

Bretherick KL, Metzger DL, Chanoine JP, Panagiotopoulos C, Watson SK, Lam WL, Fluker MR, Brown CJ, Robinson WP. Skewed X-chromosome inactivation is associated with primary but not secondary ovarian failure. Am J Med Genet A 143(9):945–951, 2007.

Pitteloud N, Acierno JS Jr, Meysing A, Eliseenkova AV, Ma J, Ibrahimi OA, Metzger DL, Hayes FJ, Dwyer AA, Hughes VA, Yialamas M, Hall JE, Grant E, Mohammadi M, Crowley WF Jr. Mutations in fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 cause both Kallmann syndrome and normosmic idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 103(16):6281–6286, 2006.

Geller DS, Zhang J, Zennaro MC, Vallo-Boado A, Rodriguez-Soriano J, Furu L, Haws R, Metzger DL, Botelho B, Karaviti L, Haqq AM, Corey H, Janssens S, Corvol P, Lifton RP. Autosomal dominant pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1: Mechanisms, evidence for neonatal lethality, and phenotypic expression in adults. J Am Soc Nephrol 17(5):1429–1436, 2006.

Ou D, Wang X, Metzger DL, Ao Z, Pozzilli P, James RFL, Chen L, Warnock GL. Suppression of human T-cell responses to β cells by activation of B7-H4 pathway. Cell Transplantation 15(5):399-410(12), 2006.

Skowronski DM, Bjornson G, Husain E, Metzger DL, Scheifele DW. Oculo-respiratory syndrome after influenza immunization in children. Pediatr Infect Dis J 24(1)63–69, 2005.

Cheung SS, Metzger DL, Wang X, Huang J, Tai J, Tingle AJ, Ou D. Tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand and CD56 expression in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Pancreas 30(2):105–114, 2005.

Ou D, Wang X, Metzger DL, James RFL, Pozzilli P, Plesner A, Korneluk RG, Verchere CB, Tingle AJ. Synergistic inhibition of tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand–induced apoptosis in human pancreatic β cells by Bcl-2 and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis. Hum Immunol 66(3):274–284, 2005.

Diabetes Prevention Trial–Type 1 Study Group [Metzger DL, Study Group Member]. Effects of oral insulin in relatives of patients with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care 28(5):1068–1076, 2005.

Grasberger H, Mimouni–Bloch A, Vantyghem M–C, van Vliet G, Abramowicz M, Metzger DL, Abdullatif H, Rydlewski C, Macchia PE, Scherberg NH, van Sande J, Mimouni M, Weiss RE, Vassart G, Refetoff S. Autosomal dominant resistance to thyrotropin as a distinct entity in five multigenerational kindreds: Clinical characterization and exclusion of candidate loci. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 90(7):4025–4034, 2005.

Ou D, Wang X, Metzger DL, Robbins M, Huang J, Jobin C, Chantler JK, James RFL, Pozzilli P, Tingle AJ. Regulation of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand-mediated death-signal pathway in human β cells by Fas-associated death domain and nuclear factor κB. Hum Immunol 66(7):799–809, 2005.

Schlingmann KP, Sassen MC, Weber S, Pechmann U, Kusch K, Pelken L, Lotan D, Syrrou M, Prebble JJ, Cole DE, Metzger DL, Rahman S, Tajima T, Shu SG, Waldegger S, Seyberth HW, Konrad M. Novel TRPM6 mutations in 21 families with primary hypomagnesemia and secondary hypocalcemia. J Am Soc Nephrol 16(10):3061–3069, 2005.

Family-Centred Care Award of Distinction, BCCH Partners in Care — 2003

Outstanding Achievement Award, Canadian Diabetes Association — 2003

Dr. John Hunt Camping Spirit Award, Canadian Diabetes Association — 2004

Education Award of Excellence with Distinction, C&W — 2006

Charles H. Best Award, Canadian Diabetes Association — 2006

Dr. Parminder Singh Award, British Columbia Pediatric Society — 2006

Family-Centred Care Award, BCCH Partners in Care — 2007