Breakthrough T1D Awards $2.8 Million in Funding to Expand Center of Excellence at University of Michigan and Oregon Health & Science University to Accelerate Type 1 Diabetes Research
Summary
It will be led by Matthias Kretzler, M.D., with the University of Michigan and Rodica Pop-Busui, M.D., Ph.D., with Oregon Health & Science University.The Breakthrough T1D Center of Excellence at the University of Michigan has conducted research across focus areas including beta cell replacement therapies, automated insulin delivery systems, psychosocial health, metabolic control, and long-term complications of the eye, heart, and kidney from T1D. The stage is now set for the Breakthrough T1D U-M-OHSU Cardiorenal Center of Excellence to apply these learnings in an innovative clinical trial testing promising heart and kidney therapies in people with T1D. Such trials are urgently needed because there are few therapeutic options available today.This Breakthrough T1D Center of Excellence represents a bold step forward in our commitment to advancing cutting-edge research for people with type 1 diabetes, and thus expediting true personalized care for patients, Dr. Pop-Busui said. We do this by investing in the most promising research, advocating for progress by working with government to address issues that impact the T1D community, and helping educate and empower individuals facing this condition.T1D is an autoimmune condition that causes the pancreas to make very little insulin or none at all. This leads to dependence on insulin therapy and the risk of short and long-term complications, which can include highs and lows in blood sugar; damage to the kidneys, eyes, nerves, and heart; and even death.