Home » News

Latest news & views

What are beta cell therapies, and do they offer hope for a cure for type 1 diabetes?
ViewsBeta cells under a microscope
April 15, 2025

What are beta cell therapies, and do they offer hope for a cure for type 1 diabetes?

Clinical trials in beta cell replacement are creating a buzz among the diabetes community. We explain what beta cell therapies are, how close they could be to becoming a potential treatment option, and how Grand Challenge research is helping bring them closer to the reality.

Read more
The Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge makes waves at DUKPC 
NewsDavid Hodson, Shareen Forbes, Shanta Persaud, Mirjam Eiswirth and Rocio Sancho speaking at DUKPC.
March 14, 2025

The Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge makes waves at DUKPC 

The Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge took centre stage at this year’s Diabetes UK Professional Conference, uniting researchers and people affected by type 1 diabetes to share their expertise and celebrate progress with the wider diabetes community.  

Read more
From discovery to innovation: 103 years of insulin progress
ViewsNovel Insulin illustration
March 4, 2025

From discovery to innovation: 103 years of insulin progress

11 January 2025 marked exactly 103 years since insulin was first given to a person with type 1 diabetes, a 14-year-old boy called Leonard Thompson. The history of insulin is one of scientific breakthroughs, perseverance, and innovation. 

Read more
New funding available to boost beta cell research in the UK
NewsBeta cells illustration
December 20, 2024

New funding available to boost beta cell research in the UK

We’re launching a new funding call to address the limited availability of stem cell-derived beta cells for research purposes.  

Read more
Gaining pace towards a cure – a round-up of 2024
NewsA photo of the front row of a seated audience, with Professor Simon Heller holding a microphone asking a question.
December 16, 2024

Gaining pace towards a cure – a round-up of 2024

The global quest to create better treatments and find ways to prevent and cure type 1 diabetes continued to gather pace in 2024. Here, we round-up the highlights of the year.

Read more
The Grand Challenge community – “Work differently, work collaboratively, work swiftly”
ViewsPeople living with type 1 sitting at the panel, facing a group of audience. A slide behind the panel reads: involving experts by experience in research. Co-chaired by David Mitchell and Jinty Moffett
December 4, 2024

The Grand Challenge community – “Work differently, work collaboratively, work swiftly”

In November, we hosted our Beta Cell Therapy and Root Causes Symposium, uniting the rapidly growing Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge community. We hear from Mirjam Eiswirth, who lives with type 1 diabetes and leads the Patient and Public Involvement activities for a Grand Challenge research project, about her thoughts on the symposium.

Read more
Four innovative projects receive funding from the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge
NewsType 1 diabetes researcher in lab with back to camera looking at microscopic cells via a screen
October 22, 2024

Four innovative projects receive funding from the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge

We’re investing over £2 million into four new research projects exploring creative approaches to improve beta cell therapies and tackle immune system dysfunction in type 1 diabetes. 

Read more
New ‘smart insulin’ marks promising step forward in type 1 diabetes treatment
NewsNovel Insulin illustration
October 17, 2024

New ‘smart insulin’ marks promising step forward in type 1 diabetes treatment

Researchers have developed a ‘smart’ insulin that switches on and off based on blood sugar levels, effectively lowering glucose without causing hypos.

Read more
What are immunotherapies, and why are people excited about them?
ViewsAn image through a microscope of immune cells in the spleen.
October 8, 2024

What are immunotherapies, and why are people excited about them?

Treatments that target the immune system, known as immunotherapies, are emerging to tackle type 1 diabetes. In this blog, we explain what they are and their potential to make a life-changing difference for some people affected by type 1 diabetes. We also introduce two research projects that we’re funding in the UK that are looking at interesting immunotherapy approaches.

Read more
Load More

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
Scientific equipment