Leadership in Vancouver
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) involves dysfunction of both the immune system and pancreatic beta cells, yet these are often studied in isolation, hindering real progress. The JDRF Centre of Excellence at UBC brings together world-leading expertise from both domains and proposes research that requires integrated study of the immune system and beta cells and their complex interactions.
Research teams will be laser-focused on finding cures through three integrated and interdependent themes:
Developing a new source of insulin-producing beta cells
Accelerate the development of a new, cost-effective cell therapy product that will provide long-lasting insulin independence with transplantation.
Protecting insulin-producing beta cells from immune attack
Develop and test several innovative approaches to stop and reverse the immune response that causes harm to insulin-producing beta cells in people with T1D, without using generalized immunosuppression.
Targeting and monitoring beta cell stress
Measure and modulate the beta cell stress response that contributes to T1D to stop disease progression or even prevent it.
The JDRF Centre of Excellence at the University of British Columbia, launched in December 2021, will be a game changer. It will accelerate research, deliver breakthroughs, and help secure a future without T1D.
JDRF is grateful to the generous donors who have supported the JDRF Centre of Excellence with leadership gifts. These individuals, foundations, and corporations are helping our research team aggressively pursue the most promising research – and speed its progress through the pipeline so that it reaches people living with T1D as quickly as possible.
