JDRF - Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

JDRF-funded Australian researchers have identified a simple cellular compound that may be able to prevent onset of type 1 diabetes by preventing or reducing the death of insulin-producing cells.

Researchers from the Australian National University have identified heparan sulfate (HS) as being essential for beta cell survival. Whilst this compound is known to be involved in a number of other biological activities, this is the first time it has been implicated in the development of type 1 diabetes.

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The JDRF-funded Type 1 Diabetes Prevention Trial is a groundbreaking medical trial that aims to determine if the risk of getting type 1 diabetes can be eliminated by a nasal insulin vaccine. The trial is now into its fifth year and has screened over six thousand people in Australia and New Zealand to assess eligibility, with 58 eligible people now participating in the trial.

The trial is looking for more volunteers to reach their goal of 12,000! To participate in the initial screening test, you will need to be aged between 4 – 30 years with a relative with type 1 diabetes. This first step will be a free blood test for antibodies that may indicate a future risk of getting type 1 diabetes.

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Real life use of an artificial pancreas

For the first time ever in parallel experiments in both France and Italy, two participants with type 1 diabetes were able to control their diabetes using an artificial pancreas system in a real-life setting. Participants spent a night at a hotel and eating at a restaurant while using the device, and attained near-normal glucose levels. The research team used approved insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors, which were controlled by a hand-held device and monitored by the investigators to ensure safety.

These were the first outpatient trials using an approach developed by the JDRF-supported International Artificial Pancreas Study Group, an international research group. Previous trials have all been conducted in an in-patient setting. Eight more patients enrolled in the trial will begin outpatient testing in coming weeks.

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A Western Australian study has found that rates of severe hypoglycaemia declined dramatically in the past decade.

The study out of the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Perth, found that rates of severe hypoglycaemia in children with Type 1 diabetes declined two thirds between 2000 and 2009.

The study also showed that glycaemic control stayed the same in that time, with the link between glycaemia and risk of hypos growing weaker. There was also no longer an increased risk of severe hypoglycaemia in children under six years old.

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JDRF today announced the two winners of the 2011 JDRF Macquarie Group Foundation Diabetes Research Innovation Awards.

The Awards recognise two outstanding researchers in type 1 diabetes with the publication or patent demonstrating the highest innovation, impact and importance in the 2010 calendar year.

Winner – Established Researcher – Dr David O’Neal
Winner – Early Career Researcher – Helen Thomas PhD

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The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is thrilled to share our 2009/10 Annual Report, available online now.

This Report aims to capture the spirit of hope for a cure for type 1 diabetes as well as the full range of JDRF’s activities.

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Researchers warn that environmental factors must be behind rising rates of type 1 diabetes amongst children in Europe.

Type 1 diabetes is the leading form of diabetes amongst young people of European origin and results from the multi-centre EURODIAB study have shown that incidence is set to increase dramatically over the next ten years.

By analyzing past European data from 1989 – 2003, study researchers found that the overall increase of type 1 diabetes incidence was 3.9% each year. When the data was broken down into age groups, the largest increase could be seen in the 0-5yr age group, with an annual increase of 5.4%.

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JDRF Board member Matthew Rady has been recognised as the Macquarie Group Foundation’s 2008 Fundraiser of the Year for his philanthropic support of JDRF, The Smith Family and Starlight Children’s Foundation Australia.

Matthew was recognised by his employer Macquarie Group in its annual Macquarie Staff Community Awards program, which acknowledges the outstanding community contributions of its staff, as well as the organisations they serve.

The Fundraiser of the Year Award is given to an individual for their innovative and successful fundraising efforts for not-for-profits.

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