New Scientific Advisory Panels

The Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge is turbo-charging the race to find new treatments and ultimately a cure for type 1 diabetes. The partnership has now successfully appointed 17 leading international scientists to advise on its £50 million investment into type 1 diabetes research. 

To help us to deliver this ambitious programme, the 17 experts are advising on the scientific scope and optimum funding mechanisms for the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge over the 5-year partnership. 

The experts join one of three independent Scientific Advisory Panels, each advising on one of the Grand Challenge research areas previously identified as carrying the most potential to improve the lives of people with type 1 diabetes and propel us towards a cure. 

• Root causes of type 1 diabetes Panel, led by Professor Chantal Mathieu, and joined by Professor Jay Skyler, Professor Mark Atkinson, Professor Anette-Gabriele Ziegler and Professor Roberto Mallone. 
• Beta cell replacement Panel, led by Professor Matthias Hebrok, and joined by Jorge Ferrer, Professor Doug Melton, Professor Lorenzo Piemonti, Professor Lori  Sussel and Professor Qizhi Tang 
• Novel insulins Panel, led by Dr Tim Heise and joined by Dr David Kelley, Professor John Buse, Dr Reinhard Becker and Dr Diane McCarthy. 

All three Panels are Chaired by Professor Simon Heller, a world-renowned diabetes specialist. 

Dr Elizabeth Robertson, Director of Research at Diabetes UK, said: 

“We are honored to have so many of the world’s most distinguished diabetes researchers advising the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge. Their expertise will help to ensure that every penny of the Steve Morgan Foundation’s £50 million gift is invested in bold, innovative research with the greatest potential to improve the lives of people with type 1 diabetes. 

“We’re delighted to see the global research community united in their support of the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge and look forward to seeing new, exciting research focusing on accelerating progress towards a cure for type 1 diabetes get underway next year”

Rachel Connor, Director of Research Partnerships at JDRF, said: 

“We’re delighted to welcome so many globally renowned scientists, who are already giving us the benefit of their insight and expertise as we shape this Grand Challenge. They are ensuring the research we support through this game-changing partnership will best meet the needs of people living with type 1. The calibre of membership we’ve been able to attract to the new panels is testament to how thrilling the new research, supported by the partnership, will be.”