DRC & Research News

This page shares the latest news in T1D research and DRC’s community.

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Insulin Pump

Advancing Diabetes Management Technology

Over the years, treatment options for type 1 diabetes have greatly expanded. From the development of continuous glucose monitors to insulin pumps to artificial pancreas systems, researchers are striving to improve the lives of those living with this disease. However, there have also been challenges regarding the accuracy, usability, and lifespan of these options.

One issue that exists is effectively coordinating treatment options to work together. Depending on the device an individual uses, it may not be compatible with a product from a different company, or even from the same company. There may be multiple steps involved in reading and responding to results in order to effectively manage type 1 diabetes.

JDRF is looking toward easing these challenges by partnering with SFC Fluidics, Inc., a medical technology company, to create an interoperable insulin pump. This device would provide continuous insulin therapy through a tubeless system, but unlike other technology, it would be an open protocol system. That means that it would be able to communicate and share information seamlessly with other devices such as CGMs or third-party technology. This would be a huge step forward in potentially improving diabetes care and management. JDRF and SFC Fluidics are currently developing and testing this technology as well as reviewing liability and regulatory requirements.

The Diabetes Research Connection (DRC) is excited to see how this project unfolds and what it could mean for the future of diabetes management. It is through the tireless work of researchers, scientists, and medical professionals that treatment options have continued to improve and more is understood about this complex disease. The DRC provides funding to early career scientists pursuing novel research studies related to type 1 diabetes in an effort to prevent and cure the disease as well as improve quality of life for those living with T1D. To learn more and support current research projects, visit http://diabetesresearchconnection.org.

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OUR PROJECTS

See our approved research projects and campaigns.

Role of the integrated stress response in type 1 diabetes pathogenesis
In individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D), the insulin-producing beta cells are spontaneously destroyed by their own immune system. The trigger that provokes the immune system to destroy the beta cells is unknown. However, accumulating evidence suggest that signals are perhaps first sent out by the stressed beta cells that eventually attracts the immune cells. Stressed cells adapt different stress mitigation systems as an adaptive response. However, when these adaptive responses go awry, it results in cell death. One of the stress response mechanisms, namely the integrated stress response (ISR) is activated under a variety of stressful stimuli to promote cell survival. However, when ISR is chronically activated, it can be damaging to the cells and can lead to cell death. The role of the ISR in the context of T1D is unknown. Therefore, in this DRC funded study, we propose to study the ISR in the beta cells to determine its role in propagating T1D.
Wearable Skin Fluorescence Imaging Patch for the Detection of Blood Glucose Level on an Engineered Skin Platform
zhang
A Potential Second Cure for T1D by Re-Educating the Patient’s Immune System
L Ferreira
Validating the Hypothesis to Cure T1D by Eliminating the Rejection of Cells From Another Person by Farming Beta Cells From a Patient’s Own Stem Cells
Han Zhu
Taming a Particularly Lethal Category of Cells May Reduce/Eliminate the Onset of T1D
JRDwyer 2022 Lab 1
Can the Inhibition of One Specific Body Gene Prevent Type 1 Diabetes?
Melanie
Is Cholesterol Exacerbating T1D by Reducing the Functionality and Regeneration Ability of Residual Beta Cells?
Regeneration Ability of Residual Beta Cells
A Call to Question… Is T1D Caused by Dysfunctionality of Two Pancreatic Cells (β and α)?
Xin Tong
Novel therapy initiative with potential path to preventing T1D by targeting TWO components of T1D development (autoimmune response and beta-cell survival)
flavia pecanha