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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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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 stem 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.

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Professor Richard Oram
Prevention

Calculating a type 1 diabetes risk score 

In his JDRF-funded project, Dr Richard Oram is developing a type 1 diabetes risk score to predict who will develop type 1 diabetes in the future. The research Richard and his team at the University of Exeter are doing will help how we screen people for type 1.

Stories from the lab

Latest research news

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Professor Richard Oram in the Research, Innovation, Learning and Development (RILD) building at the University of Exeter.
7 March 2024

New biochip launches that detects genetic risk of type 1 diabetes

A new test by Randox, developed with JDRF-funded researchers at the University of Exeter, is the first in the world to use genetics to quickly identify who is at high risk of developing type 1 diabetes.

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A graphic of a DNA double helix with a piece being removed demonstrating genetic engineering.
Cure research
21 February 2024

Primate with type 1 diabetes becomes insulin-independent after receiving gene-edited cells without immunosuppression

A transplant of stem cells grown into pancreatic islets has allowed a primate with type 1 to make its own insulin again.

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A photo of a room full of people sat at chairs facing presenters and screens.
Complications research
13 February 2024

Diabetes and kidney research charities team up to tackle diabetic kidney disease

Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease in the UK, so we've joined forces with Diabetes UK, and Kidney Research UK to identify the research gaps and care needs in the field.

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A profile photo of type 1 diabetes prevention researcher, Professor Claire Meek.
Prevention research
13 February 2024

JDRF and Helmsley Trust funding leads global research push to prevent type 1 diabetes

JDRF and the Helmsley Charitable Trust have announced over £1.5 million in joint funding for five international researchers – including one UK-based researcher – to access unique data sources and unravel how type 1 diabetes develops, with the goal of preventing the condition.

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.