Research strategy

The “Family Tree” Research Program, a questionnaire sent to 6,600 families of people with diabetes, demonstrates that there is an inherited factor to diabetes.

In honour of the 50th anniversary of the discovery of insulin, Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA), now Diabetes Canada, made its first investment in research with a research budget of $64,849.

CDA officially established its research program with the Charles H. Best Research Fund to ensure high-quality diabetes research continues to receive funding year after year.

The glycemic index was created, showing how different carbohydrates affect blood sugar levels—an important tool for managing diabetes today.

The role of glucagon on insulin and blood sugar levels was uncovered.

Researchers learned that viruses trigger type 1 diabetes (T1D) only in certain people, indicating that risk of developing T1D is complex and includes a genetic risk factor.

A glucose clamp, a new technology for cellular research at the time, showed that high levels of insulin cause short-term changes to blood cholesterol and triglycerides.

Scientists identified that both calcium and vitamin D are essential for insulin to function properly.

Gut proteins were identified to play a role in regulating insulin levels—a discovery that led to the development of two new classes of type 2 diabetes (T2D) drugs. This discovery led to the development of GLP-1R agonists to treat T2D and obesity.

The Edmonton Protocol is established at the University of Alberta Hospital with the first successful islet transplant into the liver to improve glycemic control.

Scientists discovered how certain gut hormones, called incretins, help control insulin release. This finding later contributed to the development of new medications that help people with T2D manage their blood sugar.

Exercise research demonstrated that weight training and aerobic exercise helped regulate blood glucose levels in people with T2D.

Observational studies demonstrated that lower income was associated with higher mortality in people with diabetes, highlighting the importance of social determinants of health.

The development of a new diabetes pump that releases glucagon as well as insulin begins to help reduce the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) for people living with T1D.

An approach to manufacture large quantities of insulin-producing cells from stem cells, providing an alternative for islet transplants that does not rely on donor cells, was developed. Overcoming the limited availability and reliance on donor cells is a significant step towards developing a cure for diabetes.

Research demonstrated that gestational diabetes in mothers is linked to increased risk for diabetes in their partners. This builds on research that partners tend to have similar lifestyle risk factors and identifies the home and family as an important focus of prevention efforts.

A novel approach to stop transplanted islet cells from being rejected, thereby increasing success of the Edmonton Protocol, was developed.

Novel molecular mechanisms underlying the development of diabetic kidney disease were identified, leading to new therapeutic targets for this diabetes complication.

Closed-loop artificial pancreas becomes available. This technology greatly supports people with diabetes to “set it and forget it,” knowing that their device automatically delivers insulin to their bodies in response to their blood glucose levels.

The mechanism by which metformin, a drug commonly prescribed to people with T2D to regulate blood sugar, was identified. Researchers learned that metformin increases energy consumption in muscles, leading to sustained weight loss.