31 August 2006

Patients invited to hear latest diabetes research developments

People with type 1 (juvenile) diabetes are being invited to hear the latest research developments at an open meeting hosted by the University of Dundee and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

Leading researchers from across Scotland will detail their work at the meeting, which will be chaired by Professor Andrew Morris, the country’s leading clinician on diabetes. The meeting takes place at the Hilton Hotel in Dundee on September 30th, and those wishing to attend must register in advance.

The event will cover issues ranging from stem cell therapies for diabetes to the support networks available for patients and their families and is designed for people with type 1 diabetes, families of children with type 1 diabetes, and health professionals.

"We are delighted to work with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to host a research symposium. The Foundation is the leading charity globally for research into type 1 diabetes and this is a great opportunity to learn about some of the recent advances that could make a real difference to those living with diabetes" said Professor Morris.

The day is split into a morning and an afternoon session. The morning will be taken up with a series of presentations from researchers, each followed by a Q&A session chaired by Professor Morris.

The presentations are:

• "Young Onset Diabetes in Families" - Dr Ewan Pearson, University of Dundee
• "Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes Mellitus" - Professor Kevin Docherty, University of Aberdeen
• "How do we support people with Type 1 Diabetes?" - Dr Stephen Greene, University of Dundee
• "Scottish Diabetes Research Network" - Dr John Petrie, University of Dundee.

The afternoon session includes a series of workshops dealing with psychological health and diabetes, pumps and monitors and insulin management.

The meeting takes place at the Hilton Hotel in Dundee on Saturday September 30th from 10 am to 3.30 pm. Admission is free but strictly by prior registration only.

To register, people should contact:
Joanne Lilleystone, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Head Office, 19 Angel Gate, City Road, London, EC1V 2PT.
Telephone: 020 7713 2030 e-mail: jlilleystone@jdrf.org.uk

The JDRF website can be accessed at www.jdrf.org.uk

NOTES FOR EDITORS

For further information contact:
Ruth Best, Director of Communications, tel: 020 7713 2030, email rbest@jdrf.org.uk or Joanne Lilleystone, tel: 020 7713 2030, email jlilleystone@jdrf.org.uk. Or visit www.jdrf.org.uk

About Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)
JDRF (registered charity no 295716) was founded in 1986 and is affiliated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 diabetes research worldwide.

Since inception JDRF has been responsible for more than £500 million direct funding of the most promising and groundbreaking research around the world, including £65 million for 500 grants, centres and fellowships in 19 countries in 2005 alone. The charity has funded, at least in part, every major research breakthrough in the last thirty years, and focuses on research with the greatest impact, leading to a cure as soon as possible.

JDRF actively supports new research angles such as stem cells and therapeutic islet transplantation and seeks to bring together top scientists and has unique partnerships with public and private entities, such as the MRC and the Wellcome Trust, in some of the UK ’s most groundbreaking diabetes related research.

The charity’s focus on mission-driven science clearly sets it apart from other charitable organisations, while its business world model demands strategic planning, rigorous external evaluation and ‘bottom-line’ accountability based on the success of research funding.

JDRF is unique in its approach (volunteer-driven), its scope (a private/public collaborative effort that funds more than £165 million in type 1 diabetes research annually) and its success (more than 30 years of driving scientific breakthroughs).

About diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that impairs the body’s ability to use food properly. The hormone insulin metabolises glucose to provide energy, it is vital for life.

In type 1 diabetes the body produces no insulin, its causes are not entirely known but scientists believe the body’s own immune system destroys the insulin producing cells; and it cannot be prevented. It usually develops in childhood and insulin injections and multiple daily blood tests are essential to stay alive. However these do not cure diabetes or prevent the long term, potentially devastating complications including blindness, amputations, kidney failure, heart disease and strokes.

In type 2 diabetes the body is unable to produce enough insulin or to use it effectively. Usually type 2 diabetes can be managed with diet, exercise and oral medication, although some are treated with insulin.

It is estimated that 4.9 million people globally have type 1 diabetes. It represents the most severe form of a condition that annually accounts for almost £2.5 billion in healthcare costs in the U.K. alone and represents 4.3% of the total NHS budget. Diabetes and its complications cost £5.2 billion each year, 9% of the NHS budget - 4.3% is spend on type 1 diabetes alone.

For media enquiries contact:

Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk