Diabetes Australia supporting research into the causes of type 1 diabetes 23 January 2019 With the support of a grant from the Diabetes Australia Research Trust, Dr Andrew Sutherland from St Vincent’s Institute Medical Research is studying a new way of potentially preventing and treating type 1 diabetes. “There are a class of immune cells, Th17, that can play a role in the development of type 1 diabetes so we want to identify the molecules these cells produce. This could pave the way for the development of new therapies,” Dr Sutherland said. “My research will be looking specifically at IL-17F, a protein produced by Th17 that is responsible for cell signaling, that hasn’t previously been studied in type 1 diabetes. “We have shown that IL-17F causes the dysfunction and death of pancreatic beta cells which may be an important pathway that leads to type 1 diabetes. “Hopefully, if we can inhibit the function of IL-17F then we can prevent or treat type 1 diabetes in mice. “If it works in the mouse model, then IL-17F inhibitors could be good candidates for a clinical trial of a drug to prevent type 1 diabetes.”
Blog 24 June 2025 Seeing the difference between diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema Diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema are both common eye complications linked to diabetes. Both can lead to vision loss. Continue Reading
News 23 June 2025 New gestational diabetes guidelines released to improve care for mothers and babies Australia’s peak diabetes organisations have welcomed new recommendations from the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society (ADIPS) that update the way... Continue Reading
News 20 June 2025 Free chronic wound care products now available for older Australians with diabetes A new national scheme providing free access to chronic wound care products for older Australians living with diabetes has officially... Continue Reading