The School of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee has become one of only four UK bodies to receive special funding to carry out new research into diabetic complications and improving the wellbeing of diabetics.
Dr Hari Hundal, Reader in the Division of Molecular Physiology, has received £30,000 from The Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation (DRWF), an organisation of diabetes patients, their families and their friends joining together in a 'Diabetes Wellness Network' to help all those afflicted by the condition.
The award made to Dr Hundal will be used to help advance understanding of the molecular processes involved in the insulin-regulated control of sugar metabolism in muscle and is expected to generate new insights into how their dysregulation affects tissue sensitivity to insulin and glucose utilisation. Dr Hundal said "A major feature of Type II diabetes is insulin resistance in peripheral tissues such as skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. The molecular mechanisms that participate in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance in these tissues are poorly understood, but defects in the intracellular signalling pathways regulating the uptake, utilisation and storage of blood sugar (glucose) are thought to contribute significantly to the observed disturbance in whole body glucose homeostasis.
"Information on how such defects develop is crucial to our continuing efforts to understand the causes of insulin resistance and diabetes and for the identification of potential cellular targets for new drug therapies that will be of value in the clinical management of diabetes."
The charity's motto - "Staying well until a cure is found" - states the fundamental aim behind the Foundation's education programmes. The ultimate goal of DRWF is to find a cure for diabetes and to this end the charity offers financial support for research which addresses the causes, cures and complications of diabetes.
DRWF was set up in 1998 and became operational in 1999. In 2003 DRWF will fund nine activities in the UK, paying more than £300,000 in grants. Grant commitment in 2002 totalled approximately £700,000 and charitable expenditure for 2001 was £732,655.
Part of the DRWF research income this year has been set aside to fund novel research ideas that may help progress our understanding of diabetic complications and improve wellness of diabetics. These awards are of 12 months duration. DRWF received 42 applications for the 2003 single year awards of which only 4 were selected. Three of these were non-clinical projects and one clinical.
By Jane Smernicki, Press Officer 01382 344768 j.m.smernicki@dundee.ac.uk