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Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system attacks and destroys the beta cells in the pancreas that produce the hormone insulin. Without insulin, the level of the sugar glucose in the blood cannot be controlled.

Introduction

Type 1 diabetes is a serious lifelong health condition. Our type 1 diabetes researchers are discovering how harmful immune responses damage the insulin-producing cells. This is leading to new ways to prevent and treat type 1 diabetes.

Our type 1 diabetes research

Our researchers are working to improve the prevention and treatment of type 1 diabetes. Their goals are to:

  • Understand why immune cells attack insulin-producing cells.
  • Understand the environmental factors that predispose to type 1 diabetes.
  • Develop and trial new ways to prevent type 1 diabetes.
  • Develop immune therapies to treat type 1 diabetes.
  • Develop strategies to regenerate insulin-producing cells from stem cells as a cure for type 1 diabetes.
  • Improve the success of pancreas transplantation as a cure for type 1 diabetes.
  • Develop novel insulin analogues that will make life easier for patients with type 1 diabetes.
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Illuminate Summer 2023
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