Funded projects

Find out more about the projects we’re funding to propel us towards better treatments and cures for type 1 diabetes

Root Causes Programme Grant

Combination therapy could help protect insulin-producing beta cells

Dr Danijela Tatovic’s project aims to test a combination of two therapies, both already licensed to treat other autoimmune conditions, to see if together, they can help protect surviving beta cells and delay progression of type 1 diabetes.

View Danijela’s project summary

Does timing matter for therapies to prevent beta cell destruction?

Does timing matter for therapies to prevent beta cell destruction?

Dr James Pearson’s project aims to test whether a new medicine, that slows the destruction of beta cells in people with type 1 diabetes, is more effective if administered at a particular time of day.

View James’ project summary

Beta Cell Therapy Programme Grant

Beta cells: replace, protect, regenerate

Prof David Hodson and student Silvia Gimeno in lab

Beta cells: replace, protect, regenerate

The team’s project aims to pioneer new approaches to make better beta cells ready for transplantation, protect the beta cells from an immune attack, and to regrow beta cells inside the pancreas.

View the project summary

Making transplanted beta cells feel at home

Making transplanted beta cells feel at home

This project aims to unlock the full potential of transplants of insulin-making beta cells, by innovating ways to keep cells safe from harm once they’re transplanted into someone with type 1 diabetes.

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Unleashing the benefits of beta cell transplants

Unleashing the benefits of beta cell transplants

This project aims to explore better and more innovative ways to transplant islets, clusters of pancreas cells, into people with type 1 diabetes to enable them to make their own insulin.

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Bolstering beta cells ready for transplantation

Bolstering beta cells ready for transplantation

This project aims to run state-of-the-art experiments and find ways to improve methods to engineer new beta cells in the lab, so they act and react more like real human beta cells.

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Senior Research Fellowships

Breathing new life into beta cells

Dr James Cantley’s project aims to identify, develop and test new treatments to grow new beta cells, and encourage surviving beta cells to replicate directly in the pancreases of people with type 1 diabetes.

View James’ project summary

‘Printing’ a safe haven for beta cells

‘Printing’ a safe haven for beta cells

Dr Victoria Salem’s project aims to develop a device that can be implanted into people with type 1 diabetes to deliver a new supply of beta cells.

View Victoria’s project summary

Protecting the pancreas

Professor Sarah Richardson sat at her lab computer

Protecting the pancreas

Professor Sarah Richardson’s project aims to investigate how and why the immune system destroys beta cells in type 1 diabetes, and how the process may differ between people with the condition.

View Sarah’s project summary

Putting people affected by type 1 diabetes at the heart of research.

The Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge brings together scientists and the type 1 community to drive forward progress in areas that matter most to people with type 1.

How to get involved