Managing type 2 diabetes through the gut 31 March 2026 Our research impact Challenge Dr Tongzhi Wu, from Adelaide Medical School, has been funded by Diabetes Australia to conduct research into the critical role of the small intestine in controlling blood glucose, food absorption, and metabolic health. Bold idea Dr Wu’s work is based on the premise that gut function can be harnessed to improve diabetes management and reduce cardiometabolic risk. His vision was to define new, safe, and cost-effective pathways for therapies, leveraging the power of both existing medications, such as the most widely used anti-diabetic drug metformin, and physiological substances, including bile acids and nutritional compounds. Impact The studies conducted by Dr Wu’s team have revealed new actions of metformin and have influenced international treatment recommendations for metformin use, opening new pathways for therapies that could improve diabetes management and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. His clinical research has also demonstrated potent effects of physiological bile acids to stimulate the release of the gut hormone GLP-1, suppress appetite and improve postprandial glucose control in both healthy individuals and people living with type 2 diabetes. This insight is driving development of new bile acid-based treatments for obesity and diabetes, now in early clinical trials. These advances have secured $2.7 million in additional research funding for Dr Wu to continue his groundbreaking studies. Learn more about diabetes research and our research impact.
News 24 July 2026 GLP-1 RA safety update for rare but severe eye disorders The Therapeutic Goods Administration has updated GLP-1 RA product warnings because of their potential to cause a rare but severe eye disorder. The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist... Continue Reading
News 20 July 2026 Response to media reports from 60 Minutes, The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Age regarding regulation of diabetes technologies The safety of people living with diabetes must always come first. For many Australians, technologies such as insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors are essential tools that help prevent dangerous high and low blood glucose levels, reduce the daily burden of living with diabetes and improve long-term health outcomes. For some individuals they can be life-changing or even life-saving. Continue Reading
Media releases 8 July 2026 Territory-led digital health innovation receives boost from national partnership A major funding boost will expand digital health solutions for complex care in the Northern Territory (NT), thanks to a joint investment from Diabetes Australia and Lilly Australia, in partnership with Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies). Continue Reading
