We’re accelerating towards a cure – help us get there faster

I am Professor Shareen Forbes and I am a clinician and researcher, working at the University of Edinburgh. For the last 12 years, I have been working to find a cure for type 1 diabetes by leading cutting-edge research projects at the University’s specialist laboratories.

Now, I am incredibly excited to tell you that I believe we are at the beginning of a transformational new era of research for T1D – funded in significant part by your support of Breakthrough T1D.  But there is so much more work to do.

That’s why, today, I urge you to give your support to allow Breakthrough T1D to fund more vital research projects – like the one I lead at the University of Edinburgh.

Pictured above: Beta cells made in a lab from stem cells, which can be grown into any cell.

My team’s work – funded by Breakthrough T1D – has been focused on improving the survival rates of cells transplanted from organ donors. The challenges have been huge. Donor organs are rare and cell survival rates are low. Through our work we are trying to make each donor’s contribution go further, helping more people.

The team are producing and using macrophages, a type of immune cell, that can help protect transplanted islet cells and reduce the need for anti-rejection drugs. This approach can also be applied to stem cell-derived islets (SCDIs), which are grown instead of using donated islets. These collaborative research initiatives are paving the way for potential cures for type 1 diabetes.