A significant new grant of £400,000 from the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge has been awarded to researchers at the University of Exeter, aiming to unlock the potential of a unique brain cell type in the treatment of type 1 diabetes.
Led by Dr. Craig Beall and Dr. Tom Piers, this pioneering research project seeks to determine if specific brain cells can be harnessed to create durable and effective therapies for individuals with type 1 diabetes. The initiative holds promise for the 6,415 residents in Devon living with this condition by potentially eliminating the necessity for frequent insulin injections, continuous blood sugar monitoring, and the complications associated with type 1 diabetes.
In the UK, type 1 diabetes constitutes approximately 8% of all diabetes cases, manifesting when the immune system targets the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Interestingly, brain cells also produce insulin, albeit in insufficient quantities and without the necessary spatial release to effectively regulate blood sugar levels in individuals with type 1 diabetes.
This innovative study will investigate the feasibility of cultivating insulin-producing brain cells alongside pancreatic beta cells using an “organ on a chip” platform. The goal is to create cell clusters that combine the immune evasion capabilities of brain cells with the insulin production efficiency of beta cells.
Dr. Craig Beall, a senior lecturer at the University of Exeter, expressed enthusiasm regarding the funding, stating, “We are incredibly grateful for the support from the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge. This initiative has inspired us to tap into our collective brainpower, fostering the development of creative solutions. Our ultimate vision is to discover a cure that liberates individuals with type 1 diabetes from the daily burdens of insulin injections and immunosuppression.”
This funding initiative is part of a remarkable £50 million investment by the Steve Morgan Foundation, in collaboration with Diabetes UK and Breakthrough T1D. The aim is to foster groundbreaking, multidisciplinary research teams dedicated to developing innovative treatments and potential cures for type 1 diabetes. The University of Exeter is one of four leading institutions in this endeavor, alongside Imperial College London and the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, which collectively received grants exceeding £1 million.
Dr. Elizabeth Robertson, Director of Research at Diabetes UK, commented, “These ambitious, innovative projects exemplify the transformative power of the research supported by the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge. Pioneering approaches, such as leveraging brain cells to enhance and protect beta cells, bring us closer to fundamentally changing the treatment landscape for type 1 diabetes and improving the lives of those affected.”
Rachel Connor, Director of Research Partnerships at Breakthrough T1D, remarked, “We are excited to see the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge fueling this innovative research. The project at the University of Exeter epitomizes the groundbreaking progress achievable when scientists collaborate and think outside the box. By investigating the capabilities of insulin-producing brain cells, this research could lead to novel therapies that significantly enhance the quality of life for individuals with type 1 diabetes and potentially pave the way for a future free from the daily management of insulin.”
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