Dundee to lead national diabetes network

Scotland's reputation as a world leader in the field of diabetes research is likely to grow following the recent launch of a major initiative to further strengthen diabetes research in Scotland - the Scottish Diabetes Research Network (SDRN).

Led from Dundee by Dr John Petrie, Reader in Diabetic Medicine, the Network aims to drive forward the development of therapies and techniques in diabetes research and treatment.

Scotland has a rich history in the area of diabetes research, from JJR McLeod's key role in the discovery of insulin in the 1920s to the more recent development of the first insulin "pen" by John Ireland and David Wyper in Glasgow.

The Scottish Care Information - Diabetes Collaboration (SCI-DC), which evolved from a diabetes database first developed by University Chair of Diabetic Medicine, Professor Andrew Morris, is an internationally recognised system for successfully managing the health data of people with diabetes.

"We have already made excellent strides in Scotland in putting in place strong systems for research into prevention and treatment of diabetes. The establishment of the Scottish Diabetes Research Network is another significant step forward," Dr Petrie said.

"This will help us engage even more widely with the general health community and the public, which will lead to real benefits in how we understand and treat diabetes."

A central hub for the network has been established at Ninewells Hospital and Medical School. The Network will be led from here and work with other major Scottish Centres to establish an integrated clinical trials infrastructure.

One of the new measures to be put in place by the SDRN is a 'research register' which will enable people with diabetes to learn more about ongoing research and opportunities to take part in clinical trials.

The Network will also provide practical support to primary and secondary care centres wanting to become involved in research or increase their current diabetes research projects. The practical support will include the training of specialist research staff in community-based settings.

Another important aim of the SDRN is to provide a platform for high quality, unintrusive epidemiology on a national level, which will examine the way diabetes affects individuals and groups of people and work out the best ways to treat and prevent the disease.

The SDRN was commissioned by the Chief Scientist Office as a part of the UK Clinical Research Collaboration.

"By harnessing the unique systems jointly developed by clinicians and researchers over the last decade to enhance the quality and quantity of nationwide epidemiological and clinical research, Scotland will play an even greater role on the world stage in speeding up the development of new treatments for diabetes," Dr Petrie said.