Diabetes Ireland Research Alliance (DIRA) and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), are holding an information evening on TYPE 1 Diabetes Research Developments. The meeting will be held on Thursday, May 14th, 2015 at 7.30pm in the Imperial Hotel, Cork (Click here for agenda).

Presenting on the evening will be Dr Maeve Durkin, Consultant Endocrinologist, Bons Secours Hospital, Cork who will provide an overview of the current Irish Type 1 diabetes research landscape. Also presenting will be Dr Aileen King of King’s College Hospital, London. Dr King is currently working on a research project looking for a new way to give people new insulin producing beta cells to replace the ones that have been destroyed by the immune system using nano-technology. DIRA has chosen to fund this specific project with funds raised in Ireland as part of our partnership with JDRF.

Also speaking on the night will be Professor Catherine Godson of the Conway Institute & School of Medicine, University College Dublin (UCD). She will speak on ‘The JDRF Genetics of Diabetic Nephropathy’ project, a collaboration project by JDRF and UCD. Previous research in this area has indicated that genetic factors play a role in the risk of developing diabetic nephropathy, but scientists do not yet have a full picture of the specific genes involved. This project aims to get a clearer picture of the genes involved. This €7m project includes research teams from 7 countries around the globe.

No research is possible without funding and Ms Sinead Deasy of Diabetes Ireland will speak briefly about the vital role fundraising plays in the world of research and how to get involved.

This information evening is a rare opportunity for you to find out first-hand what is going on in the world of diabetes research. Light refreshments will be available and there will be ample opportunity to ask questions and engage with our expert speakers. If you have an interest in diabetes research and its future then this is an evening not to be missed.