UBC faculty of medicine researchers have been awarded $7 million in new funding to advance precision medicine approaches that promise to transform diabetes treatment.
The funding, from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research in collaboration with JDRF Canada, provides $3.5 million to two UBC-led projects aimed at improving diabetes treatment, care and prevention. Canada is among the ten countries with the highest rates of type 1 diabetes in the world, and while some treatment advancements have been made, the disease continues to pose a burden for patients, families and communities.
In total, the Government of Canada and JDRF Canada announced an investment of $33 million for 12 research projects across the country.
“Diabetes is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in Canada with over three million people with diabetes in the country,” said the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health. “This investment in research will improve our understanding of diabetes and will ultimately result in better supports for Canadians currently living with the condition. Thank you to all the researchers, clinicians, patients, and partners who will be part of this very important research.”
The UBC projects build on decades of world-leading work by faculty of medicine researchers to develop new treatment and prevention strategies for diabetes. In 2021, UBC became home to the first JDRF Centre of Excellence in type 1 diabetes in Canada, one of just five centres worldwide.
The Faculty of medicine-led projects include:
- Leveraging biological sex and genetics for beta cell-directed precision medicine in type 1 diabetes
Men have an 80 per cent higher risk of developing type 1 diabetes, but the reasons behind this are not currently well understood. This study will examine sex and genetic differences between insulin-producing beta cells and the sex-specific factors that impact the ability of these cells to make insulin and stay healthy. The findings will help scientists develop precision medicine approaches that match patients with the most appropriate treatments based on biological sex and genetic differences.
Principal investigators: Elizabeth Rideout (Cellular and Physiological Sciences), James Johnson (Cellular and Physiological Sciences), Dan Luciani (Surgery), Bruce Verchere (Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Surgery)
- Precise Treatment for Pediatric Diabetes: Providing the right care, for the right patient, at the right time, over time
Many children living with diabetes use glucose sensors and insulin pumps that can provide valuable information to families and healthcare providers. However, this data is usually located in different places. UBC and BC Children’s Hospital researchers have developed a new digital tool, TrustSphere, that collects health information from these various locations and makes it accessible to patients, families and healthcare providers in order to improve and personalize care. This project will expand TrustSphere’s capabilities to include information on healthy living behaviours, diabetes self-management behaviours, quality of life and mental health. The project’s goal is to create a collaborative care experience that improves diabetes self-management and patient experience and outcomes.
Principal investigators: Shazhan Amed (Pediatrics), Tricia Tang (Medicine), Wyeth Wasserman (Medical Genetics)