Collaborating to tackle diabetes
Message from Dr. Norman Rosenblum

October 30, 2018

In concert with the 2018 Diabetes Canada (DC)/ Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (CSEM) Professional Conference, October 9-13 in Halifax, INMD was pleased to lead a workshop convened to reflect on the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin that will be marked in 2021. In anticipation of this occasion, it is timely to reflect on the growing health burden of diabetes and to identify Canadian research strengths that could be leveraged to support a strategic research initiative on the mechanistic and therapeutic aspects of diabetes research. It is clear that treatments for diabetes have markedly improved over the years. Yet, the prevalence of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus is increasing, many gaps exists in our understanding of the mechanisms that cause and drive these diseases, and approaches to reduce the complications of diabetes and reduce the burden are sorely needed. In this light, during the workshop expert investigators and stakeholders thoughtfully analyzed gaps in our understanding of type 1 and type 2 diabetes and reflected on diverse strategies that could be harnessed to make a significant difference to those presently affected by these disorders and those at risk in their future. Stay tuned as INMD, together with interested partners, works to develop a strategic research initiative that will build on this workshop.

It is also my great pleasure to congratulate Patrick MacDonald (U. of Alberta), recipient of DC/CIHR INMD 2018 Young Scientist Award. Patrick established and directs the Alberta Diabetes Institute Islet Core, a tissue isolation and distribution program that supplies human research material to over 80 research groups around the world. As well, I extend hearty congratulations to James Shapiro who holds a Canada Research Chair in Transplantation Surgery and Regenerative Medicine at U. of Alberta, and is the recipient of the 2018 DC Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Shapiro is internationally known for his pioneering work as the lead investigator on the famous "Edmonton Protocol" cell transplant treatment for diabetes. He was the first in Canada to start clinical trials with human stem cell-derived insulin secreting cells.

Thanks to Diabetes Canada for including INMD in their meeting again this year!

Best wishes,

Norman Rosenblum, MD, FRCPC
Scientific Director, CIHR-INMD

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