Diabetes Research Program

The Diabetes research program in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, aims to improve the lives of children with diabetes by advancing knowledge of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, through innovative and multi-disciplinary basic and clinical diabetes research. Research is aimed at understanding the causes of types 1 and 2 diabetes and improving treatments.

The program brings together researchers from a variety of backgrounds – including virology, genetics, immunology, islet biology, and clinical diabetes research – to tackle this complex disease. Diabetes program investigators have extensive ties with the international diabetes research community and participate in international clinical trials for diabetes.

Recent News

2012 Canucks for Kids Fund Diabetes Catalyst Grant Competition
Often the most novel ideas are the most difficult to get funded in their earliest stages because traditional funding agencies require extensive preliminary data to demonstrate feasibility. The CFRI Diabetes Research Program wishes to jumpstart exciting, highrisk/high-reward diabetes research through an internal Catalyst Grant competition.

These pilot and feasibility grants will enable investigators to perform highly innovative
and novel research projects funded by the Canucks for Kids Fund (CFKF) aimed at
finding a cure for or improving the lives of children with diabetes.
 

12th International Conference on the Immunology of Diabetes
February 15, 2012: Dr. Bruce Verchere and Dr. Rusung Tan are co-chairs of the 12th International Conference on the Immunology of Diabetes, taking place on June 15-June 19th, 2012 in Victoria, British Columbia.

IDS 2012 will feature novel discussions on a wide range of current topics, including clinical trials, the microbiome, immunopathology of type 1 diabetes, issues of transplantation, and new models of diabetes. Click here for more details on the early abstract deadline (Feb 29th) or visit www.ids2012.ca for more details about the conference.

Genetic variation increases risk of metabolic side effects in children on some antipsychotics
 January 24, 2012: Researchers have found a genetic variation predisposing children to six-times greater risk of developing metabolic syndrome when taking second-generation anti-psychotic medications. The research is published today in the medical research journal Translational Psychiatry. Dr. Dina Panagiotopoulos and Dr. Angela Devlin were co-authors of the study.
 

Gene discovered for Weaver syndrome
December 15, 2011: Scientists have found a gene that causes Weaver syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that typically causes large size at birth, tall stature, developmental delay during childhood, and intellectual disability. Published today in the American Journal of Human Genetics, the discovery means that testing the EZH2 gene for mutations could help families who are seeking a diagnosis for their child. The study was led by Dr. William Gibson.

 
Gene therapy stimulates protein that blocks immune attack and prevents type 1 diabetes in mice
July 5, 2011: Increasing a specific protein in areas of the pancreas that produce insulin blocks the immune attack that causes type 1 diabetes, report CFRI researchers in the August issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, published early online. The research team includes Dr. Bruce Verchere, Dr. Loraine Bischoff, Dr. Joel Montane, and Dr. Rusung Tan.
 
 
Geneticist's lab ready to aid obese: Specialist hopes more MDs make use of facility
May 12, 2011: Dr. William Gibson talks to the Times Colonist about research that aims to help people with rare genetic obesity disorders.
 
 
A weighty issue: How much sugar is too much?
March 15, 2011: Dr. Daniel Metzger talks to the Vancouver Sun about sugar in beverages.
 
 
Canucks for Kids Fund donates $5 million to BC Children's Hospital
March 14, 2011: The Canucks for Kids Fund announced a gift of $3-million to support BC Children's Hospital Foundation's Campaign for BC Children and $2-million to the Diabetes Research Laboratory at CFRI.
 
 
Global BC story on diabetes research
December 12, 2010: Dr. Bruce Verchere spoke to Global BC TV about diabetes research.
 
 
T cell discovery shows promise for Type 1 diabetes treatment: UBC-CFRI study
October 5, 2010: Researchers from the University of British Columbia and the Diabetes Research Program at CFRI have identified the role of a type of T cell in type 1 diabetes that may lead to new treatment options for young patients.
 
 
Researchers from the Diabetes Research Group receive funding from Canada Foundation for Innovation
May 13, 2010: We are pleased to congratulate diabetes research scientists Dr. Francis Lynn and Dr. Brad Hoffman who recently received $250,000 in funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation through the Leaders Opportunity Fund for their project "Beta Cell Genesis Research Facility."
Last updated: March 8, 2012
 

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