On Nov. 14, 2017―World Diabetes Day―the Alberta Diabetes Institute celebrates 10 years at the Li Ka Shing Institute for Health Research Innovation.
According to Diabetes Canada, 3.4 million Canadians are living with diabetes. The Alberta Diabetes Institute at the University of Alberta is tackling the disease from every possible angle, with 65 members spearheading multiple projects and programs.
Here are seven ways the Alberta Diabetes Institute is making a difference
By Laura Vega
1. Islet cell biology and physiology: Tracking brain signals
Jessica Yue investigates how brain signals regulate fat metabolism and prevent cardiovascular disease―a risk factor for obesity and diabetes.
2. Risk and prevention: Finding the guts to stop diabetes
Jens Walter explores gastrointestinal microbiota among different populations of the world and how a "westernized" diet may impact the development of diabetes from the gut.
3. Secondary diseases: Eliminating side risks
Alberta Diabetes Institute director Peter Light; Scot Simpson; Peter Senior; and Dean Eurich dig into safety studies on the cardiovascular effects of Sulfonylurea (SU) drugs, some of the first and most popular treatments for Type 2 diabetes.
4. Immunology and cell therapies: Uplifting islet transplant success
Greg Korbutt examines the possibility of using transplanted porcine islets-instead of human islets, which are in limited supply-for cell replacement therapy on Type 1 diabetes patients.
5. Population health: Delivering the best patient care for specific needs
Jeff Johnson reviews the changes in health at the economic, clinical and humanistic levels to improve the overall quality of life for people with diabetes.
6. Up and coming research: Ensuring health in body and mind
Harley Kurata studies how genetic mutations can lead to an early development of diabetes, and works on ways to improve cognitive health in diabetic patients.
The Alberta Diabetes Foundation isn't afraid to take risks. Starting 29 years ago with funding clinical trials in islet cell transplantation―which led to the Edmonton Protocol―today, the Alberta Diabetes Foundation funds "first to bench" innovations that might otherwise not see the light of day. The Alberta Diabetes Foundation supports critical infrastructure, pilot initiatives, world-class scientific scholar recruitment and graduate studentships to make the Alberta Diabetes Institute a world-renowned centre of diabetes research excellence.