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With the continued support of JDRF and its generous friends, the scientific inroads forged by these scientists have the potential to produce key advances in our understanding and treatment of type 1 diabetes. Such advances will speed our progress toward better treatments and a cure, impacting the lives of the 285 million people worldwide with T1D, as well as those who are yet to be diagnosed.

In an environment where scientific and biomedical research is flourishing, and where the commitment of its scientists is unwavering, JDRF is fortunate to have forged many strong partnerships with physicians and researchers in Israel. Within a culture of doing good, scientists in Israel were among the first to develop the groundbreaking technology of embryonic stem cell lines and investigate the potential of these new cells for therapeutic uses. The study of the development and function of the insulin-producing beta cell is another interdisciplinary strength of Israeli scientists. JDRF is eager to further collaborate efforts to capitalize with stem cell and developmental biology experts in Israel to focus on our vision of beta cell and immune therapies for T1D.

Research progress—much of it funded by JDRF—has been impactful. We fund research that addresses everything about T1D—from prevention to treatment to a cure.

To promote the highest quality of biomedical research in the areas of autoimmunity, beta cell biology, and the interaction between the immune system and the beta cell in the context of T1D; and

To expedite the practical application of basic scientific advances into novel therapies for diabetes.

For collaborative grants, to bring new scientists from other fields into T1D research through close collaboration with acknowledged experts in diabetes.

The Israel Initiative is working to:

1. develop methods to grow and expand mature adult insulin-producing beta cells in the laboratory

2. conduct beta cell therapies research to produce ways to restore the body’s ability to make insulin combining two overlapping therapeutic areas:

            Regeneration – triggering the body to re-grow insulin-producing cells

            Replacement – replacing the beta cells lost to T1D

3. focus on finding out how to stop the immune system attack that kills the insulin producing beta cells and cause T1D.

JDRF has a strong track record of success in funding research advances. While research toward a cure is ongoing, JDRF also focuses on science and developments that help people with diabetes live better lives now.

• Discovery of the physiologic mechanisms, pathways, and druggable targets for promoting beta cell proliferation and survival in the adult and growing animal with validation in human islets and beta cells

• Discovery of New Molecular Entities (NME), both small molecule and biotherapeutics for activating the expansion and/or survival of beta cells in diabetes including but not limited to anti-inflammatory and agents that simultaneously protect beta cell function and ameliorate the auto-immune response

• Proof-of-principle investigations of potential regeneration therapeutics in disease relevant animal models and proof-of-concept clinical research studies

• Discovery of druggable targets and pharmacological approaches for reprogramming of non-beta cells into beta cells to restore beta cell function by regeneration or replacement

• Discovery of the beta cell progenitor/stem cell responsible for beta cell expansion in the adult and growing animal with validation in human islets and beta cells

• Encapsulation strategies to allow long-term survival and function of transplanted beta cells/progenitors/islets in the absence of chronic immunosuppression

• Identification and development of biomarkers and imaging technologies for non-invasive measurement of islet/beta cell stress, mass, function, inflammation, rejection, death, and newly generated beta cells

• Innovative approaches to target the beta cell

Our research goals for FY12 are ambitious: to fund more than $124 million in promising science that leads to better treatments, and eventually a cure for T1D.  You can help raise the funds for these projects.

JDRF’s Walk to Cure Diabetes happens ever October in Boston and Worcester.    We need help with all aspects of these events, setting up, manning different tents, cheering on the walkers, and clean up.  Or you could develop your own Walk Team to help raise the important funds we need.

People donate to JDRF because we have a solid track record of funding research efficiently and effectively. More than 80 percent of what we spend goes directly to research and research related education, which is among the highest percentages for charities nationwide.

Together, we can deliver better treatments, and eventually a cure. Partnering with JDRF holds the promise of helping to bring about the day when type 1 diabetes does not exist.