Research Round-Up | Diabetes UK

Find out the latest from the world of diabetes research – news, new projects, updates and blogs from researchers.

Our research's impact

Have a look at the breakthroughts that have been made, and the impact we've had, over the last 80 years.

Latest news

27 April 2021

As we kicked off week 2 of our professional conference (DUKPC), scientists brought us trailblazing updates in progress to prevent type 1 diabetes.

Preventing the type 1 immune attack

Prof Kevan Herold, from Yale University, has led on landmark research – showing for the first time that

DUKPC research highlights: Day 5

26 April 2021

Week one of our professional conference (DUKPC) wrapped up with important research highlighting inequalities in diabetes care, we learnt more about what’s going on in our brain after weight loss a

Social deprivation in Scotland linked to DKA

A nationwide study we funded has revealed widening inequalities in type 1 diabetes care across Scotland.

DUKPC research highlights: Days 3 and 4

22 April 2021

Over the last couple of days, research shared at our professional conference (DUKPC) has given us new insights into links between type 1 diabetes and musculoskeletal problems and has brought us up

Type 1 diabetes can cause musculoskeletal problems

Dr Harry Green at the University of Exeter presented his important new research revealing that type 1 diabetes is likely to directly cause certain musculoskeletal conditions (conditions that affect the bones and muscles),

DUKPC research highlights: Day 2

20 April 2021

On day two of our professional conference (DUKPC), fibre was in the spotlight and we heard about new research on type 2 diabetes remission and treatments to help people with type 1 diabetes and ea

Research highlights The perks of fibre

One of the day’s most anticipated lectures was given by our researcher Dr Denise Robertson, from the University of Surrey. Her talk was dedicated to

DUKPC research highlights: Day 1

19 April 2021

We’ve just kicked off our annual professional conference (DUKPC). It sees hundreds of healthcare professional and scientists come together virtually to hear about what’s new in diabetes care and research.

Research highlights A tale of the pancreas under siege

Professor Sarah Richardson took us on a journey through what we’ve learnt about type 1 diabetes.

Diabetes-UK funded research uncovers biological messengers that tell the body to burn fat

31 March 2021

New research from RD Lawrence Fellow Dr Lee Roberts reveals more about how the body burns fat, which in the future could pave the way for new therapies to protect against obesity and type 2 diabetes.

There are different types of fat cells in the body. White fat cells store energy as fat, while brown fat cells regulate body temperature by “burning” stored fats, helping us to keep warm. A third type of fat cell, beige fat, can act as both white fat cells and brown fat cells.

New research shows drug delays type 1 diagnosis by three years

05 March 2021

This year marks the 100-year anniversary of the discovery of insulin, but a century later, it remains the only treatment option for people with type 1 diabetes. However, change is on the horizon.

In 2019, researchers from the international TrialNet group found that an immunotherapy drug called Teplizumaub could delay a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes by two years, in people at

We’re working with you to help people with diabetes age well

10 March 2021

Over 1.3 million people who have diabetes in the UK are over 70, but there’s currently very little research on managing diabetes in older people. We plan to change that.

In the UK, nearly 40% of people with type 2 diabetes and 10% of people with type 1 are over the age of 70. We know that diabetes complications, like heart attacks and strokes, are more common in older age groups.

New initiative allows Diabetes UK researchers to easily share their work

02 March 2021

As a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), Diabetes UK researchers have a new way to share their work with the scientific community that’s low cost, fast, and transparent.

We want to make sure that the research we fund benefits people with diabetes as soon as possible.

Diabetes UK fellows eligible for Academy of Medical Science mentoring scheme

02 March 2021

Harry Keen Intermediate Clinical and RD Lawrence fellows are eligible to sign up to the Academy of Medical Sciences mentorship programme, to get career development support from senior academics.

2020 was a challenging year for us all, including the research community. Between projects being delayed or paused and scientists shifting to new ways of working, it’s been difficult to keep things moving forward.