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JDRF is undergoing a transformation.
We are becoming Breakthrough T1D in October.

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Our research

One day, we will create a world without type 1 diabetes. Until that day, your support is vital for our international research to cure, treat and prevent type 1.

A type 1 diabetes researcher on Dr Rocio Sancho's team, working in the lab

What research does JDRF fund?

We fund international research that will cure, treat and prevent type 1 diabetes and its complications. We focus on investing in research that will transform the lives of people with type 1 diabetes – improving treatments today until we find a cure.

400+

Over 400 active research studies are being funded by JDRF around the world

21

JDRF-funded research is currently taking place in 21 countries

20

At any one time, JDRF is funding around 20 research projects in the UK

Learn about our research

Discover how we’re working to cure, treat and prevent type 1 diabetes

Recent research highlights

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A girl with type 1 diabetes after a teplizumab injection
Treatments

Teplizumab: The world’s first type 1 diabetes disease-modifying drug approved in the US

The US FDA recently approved a drug that can delay the onset of type 1 diabetes for up to three years, called teplizumab. This success wouldn’t have happened without 30 years of JDRF funding research.

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Illustration of the hybrid closed loop technology system, funded as part of treatment research for type 1 diabetes by JDRF.
Treatments

Hybrid closed loop to be recommended for over 100,000 people with type 1 diabetes

Since 2006, we have funded research to develop and test hybrid closed loop (HCL) technology, which links people's insulin pump to their continuous glucose monitor. Now, HCL is set to become available to many people on the NHS.

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Microscopic view of stem cells
Cure

Promising stem cell therapy for type 1 given green light to progress

For over 20 years, we funded Professor Doug Melton to grow stem cells into insulin-producing beta cells. Doug now works at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, who are running a clinical trial transplanting Doug’s lab-grown beta cells into people with type 1.

Latest research projects

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Shareen Forbes
Cure Treatment

Boosting islet survival after transplantation using immune cells

Professor Shareen Forbes is investigating whether giving certain immune cells with islet transplants can help the islets survive in the recipient and reduce the need for immune-suppressing drugs.

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Professor Yanick Crow
Prevention

Understanding the role of interferon in autoimmunity

Connect Immune Research has launched a first-of-its-kind research project to confront the UK’s high prevalence of autoimmune conditions.

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Professor Alexander Midas
Treatment

Testing a new treatment to lower blood glucose in people with type 1

Professor Alexander Miras is investigating whether alpha-melanocyte stimulatory hormone (α-MSH) can lower blood sugar levels in people with type 1.

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Daniel Doherty
Treatment

Improving islet transplants to treat type 1 diabetes

Daniel Doherty’s research project aims to make islet transplants last longer and work better to benefit more people with type 1.

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Professor Kourosh Saeb-Parsy
Prevention

Analysing pancreas biology to enable early detection of type 1 diabetes

Lead researcher, Kourosh, says his study has the potential to transform our understanding of diabetes.

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Dr Leslie Johnson
Treatment

Improving mental health and blood glucose management in people with type 1 diabetes and depression

Dr Leslie Johnson will explore whether a collaborative care model that is effective for type 2 diabetes can be adapted for people with type 1.

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Dr Chloe Rackham
Treatment

Can islet helper cells in the pancreas treat type 1 diabetes?

Dr Chloe Rackham is investigating how supportive cells called mesenchymal stromal cells may help protect people from developing type 1.

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Dr Ify Mordi, lead type 1 diabetes researcher
Complications Treatment

The SOPHIST Trial: sotagliflozin for people with type 1 and heart failure

Dr Ify Mordi is an expert in heart disease and diabetes at the University of Dundee. We are funding Ify to run the first clinical trial of the drug sotagliflozin in people living with type 1 diabetes and heart failure.

Stories from the lab

Latest research news

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Three people sat around a table with laptops and paper. Two people are standing by a large corkboard with post-it notes on it.
Research
3 September 2024

Top 10 research priorities for adults living with type 1 diabetes

A study we helped conduct, which has just been published, reveals the most important unanswered questions about type 1 diabetes, based on the priorities of adults in the United Kingdom and Ireland. This will help guide future research to focus on what matters most to people living with the condition.

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A vial of clear liquid in front of a syringe.
Research
2 September 2024

JDRF-funded smart insulin research shows promise

When given to mice and pigs with type 1 diabetes, a new type of oral insulin developed with JDRF funding detects rising blood glucose and quickly lowers it to a safe level without causing hypos.

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Type 1 diabetic daisy wearing a medical mask and sat looking at the camera from her hospital chair during one of her clinical trial appointments
Research
31 July 2024

Psoriasis drug shows promise for treating type 1 diabetes

New research finds that ustekinumab, a drug commonly used to treat psoriasis, may help children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes keep making insulin for longer.

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A researcher sits in a lab beside screening samples and lab equipment for early detection of type 1 diabetes.
Research
24 June 2024

New guidance sets out how to support people with early-stage type 1 diabetes

New international guidance detailing how to monitor and support people with early-stage type 1 diabetes (T1D) has the potential to reduce the trauma associated with being diagnosed with T1D, enable people to access the latest treatments to delay the need for insulin therapy, and reduce long-term health complications.

Our research partnerships

We work with researchers and partner organisations to make sure we can improve life with type 1 diabetes as quickly as possible. Learn about the research we do in partnership with other organisations.

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Our research partnerships

Discover how we work with other organisations to help us make every penny we receive from our amazing supporters go even further to help people with type 1.

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Connect Immune Research partnership logo

Connect Immune Research

Learn about how we're partnering with other autoimmune research funders, pooling our resources to help prevent and cure a range of autoimmune conditions, including type 1 diabetes.

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A woman type 1 diabetes scientist in a laboratory

The Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge

The Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge is a partnership between the Steve Morgan Foundation, Diabetes UK and JDRF. We are united by our ambition to cure type 1 diabetes.