As the largest charitable funder dedicated todiabetes researchin the UK, leading charity Diabetes UK is putting the spotlight on the organisation’s inspirational female researchers ahead ofInternational Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February.
Professor Aine McKillop at Ulster University demonstrates how Diabetes UK’s research is changing people’s lives. Professor McKillop is currently funded by Diabetes UK to study the intricate biology of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. She hopes to find out more about how they work, and develop new therapeutic treatments for Type 2 diabetes.
You help make important research like this happen
Professor McKillop said: “I’d like to say a big thank you to the supporters of Diabetes UK: you help to make important research like this happen. I’m really driven to understanding more about how and why Type 2 diabetes develops, so that we can find better treatments to support people across the globe living with this condition.
The Diabetes Research Group at Ulster University is conducting knowledge at the forefront of diabetes research and therapy, we have successfully translated research into a number of key discoveries, and we also play an important role in training new young diabetes scientists for the future, so a special thank you to all Diabetes UK supporters."
Moving us closer to a cure
Diabetes UK is dedicated to supporting the leaders of diabetes research. Currently 54 female scientists funded by the charity are working to change the lives of people with diabetes. Ground-breaking research funded by the charity for longer than 80 years has been instrumental in improving diabetes care and moving us closer to a cure.
Diabetes is a huge and growing problem which costs the Health Service £1 million a day in Northern Ireland. If not managed properly, diabetes can lead to cause serious consequences for people living with the condition which can include sight loss, limb amputation and kidney failure.
In Northern Ireland, there are an estimated 100,000 people living with diabetes of which 12,000 people have Type 2 diabetes but don’t know they have it because they haven’t been diagnosed. Almost 12 million people are at increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes across the UK.
Know Diabetes. Fight Diabetes
Diabetes UK’s Research Communications Manager Dr Emily Burns said: “All of our fantastic researchers play a vital role in helping us to know diabetes, and fight diabetes. This International Day of Women and Girls in Science we recognise the achievements of our amazing female researchers, who have had a huge impact on the treatment of diabetes. They will continue to be leaders in the world of diabetes research and care. There are of course many more people doing incredible work and we would like to take this opportunity to thank them for everything they do.”
