Type 1 Research Highlights

Type 1 Research Highlights

While the Association’s priority is to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes, type 1 diabetes is a critical focus of the organization. In fact, in 2016, 37 percent of our research budget was dedicated to projects relevant to type 1 diabetes. Read more about the critical research made possible by the American Diabetes Association.

Smart Insulin Patch Developed by Dr. Zhen Gu

Smart Insulin Patch

American Diabetes Association Pathway to Stop Diabetes Scientist Zhen Gu, PhD, recently published a paper describing the development of an innovative "smart insulin" patch that imitates the body's beta cells by both sensing blood glucose levels and releasing insulin.

immune complex

A Possible Trigger for Type 1 Diabetes

In order to prevent or reverse the development of type 1 diabetes, it is essential to understand why and how the immune system attacks the body’s own cells. Association-funded Researcher Thomas Delong, PhD, found a possible answer to these questions.

Recent Advances

Enhancing Survival of Beta Cells for Successful Transplantation

Islet transplantation has long offered hope as a curative measure for type 1 diabetes. However, more than 80% of transplanted islets die within one week after transplantation. Research efforts are working to improve their survival and the promise of stem cells to reverse diabetes.

Explore: Type 1 Research Highlights

  • Investments in Type 1 Diabetes Research

    About 1.25 million Americans have type 1 diabetes and an estimated 40,000 people will be newly diagnosed each year in the U.S. The American Diabetes Association funds a productive research portfolio that offers significant progress and hope for improved outcomes for people with type 1 diabetes.

  • Identifying Type 1 Diabetes before Beta Cell Loss

    Dr. Hessner is investigating so-called “biomarkers,” which are components in blood or tissue samples that can be measured to predict which individuals are most likely to develop type 1 diabetes.

  • Beta Cell Replacement

    Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes result from a complete or partial loss of beta cell number and function. Finding a way to successfully replace functional beta cell is key to efforts to one day cure diabetes.

  • Enhancing Survival of Beta Cells for Successful Transplantation

    Islet transplantation has long offered hope as a curative measure for type 1 diabetes. However, more than 80% of transplanted islets die within one week after transplantation. Research efforts are working to improve their survival and the promise of stem cells to reverse diabetes.

  • New Insight into How Diabetes Leads to Blindness

    New research is uncovering how diabetes changes the kinds of proteins that are made in the eye. These changes may lead to diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness. This information is allowing researchers to identify new targets for therapies that could delay or prevent the development of diabetic retinopathy.