On October 29th, 2025, researchers, partners, and members of the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community gathered in person at the University of British Columbia (UBC) to discuss year 4 progress and future plans for the Breakthrough T1D Canucks For Kids Fund Centre of Excellence at UBC (The Centre) The day was rich with powerful presentations about scientific advances, showcasing the power of partnership and the accomplishments that are possible when vision, generosity, and determination come together.
The Centre’s research program is organized into three interconnected themes relevant to T1D cure research: 1) building better beta cells for islet replacement therapy, 2) immune protection of insulin-producing beta cells, and 3) targeting and monitoring beta cell stress. Highlights from year 4 of the Centre’s progress across these three themes include:
- Discovery of several factors that increase beta cell survival, and creation of tools that will allow them to be engineered into stem cell-derived islet islets
- Creation of engineered regulatory T cells designed to specifically target islets and prevent them from harm
- Further development of a nanomedicine that can prevent and reverse T1D in animal models – including refining how the can best be delivered (intramuscularly, like a vaccine) and figuring out that the drug protects from T1D by dialing down the function of certain white blood cells.
- Completion of a screen of >3000 existing drugs to identify those that can reduce beta cell harm and that could be re-purposed to treat T1D or protect transplanted islets.
Exciting results of early-stage projects were also shared from three seed grants awarded in 2024 (Dr. Laura Egvin, Dr. Nicole Krentz, Dr. Lauar Monteiro/Dr. Ramon Klein Geltink), and multiple trainees excelled at summarizing their work in a graphical abstract competition. Finally, Dr. Ahsen Chaudry, clinical endocrinologist and a Breakthrough T1D Clinical Investigator Fellow, provided an overview of past, present and future T1D cure clinical trials taking place in Vancouver, where are large number of stem cell-derived islet transplants have been carried out.
“As a parent of a young adult living with type 1 diabetes, the 4th Annual Meeting of the Centre of Excellence left me feeling both hopeful and encouraged,” said Sue Gordon, a supporter from the community. The researchers’ progress and dedication are inspiring! Knowing that advances are being made, and that strong community partners are stepping up to help, gives families like mine so much hope for the future.”
The Centre’s T1D Lived Experience Advisory Council, which ensures that the priorities and concerns of people with T1D are integrated into the Centre’s work and knowledge mobilization activities, inspired the audience in the afternoon session by sharing stories of what day-to-day life is like living with T1D. From professional challenges to pump failures, pregnancy to post-partum, poor sleep and striving for perfection – experiences shared were often real and raw.
“Sometimes it’s hard to get up at 5:30am to go into the lab and feed the latest batch of stem cell-derived islets we’re working with,” said Francis Lynn, Associate Professor, UBC Department of Surgery & Biomedical Engineering and Centre Co-Lead. “But hearing what the burden of T1D is like, day in and day out, reminds me why we do what we do. And we’ll keep at it for as long as we have to.”
Now beginning year 5 of their research program, the team is focused on achieving key milestones, evaluating overall progress to date, and beginning to outline plans for the next phase of the Centre, which will involve advancing the highest potential projects, prioritizing innovation, deepening engagement with clinical activities, and expanding interdisciplinary training and mentorship opportunities.
To close the annual meeting, the Centre team celebrated the announcement of a transformational gift from the Canucks For Kids Fund, prompting re-naming to the Breakthrough T1D Canucks For Kids Fund Centre of Excellence at UBC. This extraordinary support introduces a powerful new partner for the and Centre and will further elevate the Centre’s mission and accelerate the groundbreaking cure-focused research underway at UBC.
Read more about the Centre here or at UBC’s dedicated webpage at BreakthroughT1D.med.ubc.ca/
For information about how to support the Breakthrough T1D Canucks For Kids Fund Centre of Excellence at UBC, please visit: BreakthroughT1D.ca/get-involved/accelerate/
