American Diabetes Association Research Foundation Collaborates with Foundation for Diabetes Research to Fund Project Aimed at Improving Islet Transplantation

ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 14, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Diabetes Association Research Foundation is pleased to announce its collaboration with the Foundation for Diabetes Research (FDR) (http://diabetesnj.org). The FDR will provide support for an innovative research grant with a commitment of $250,000. The grant focuses on the protection of islets during and after transplantation, a promising research effort aimed at reducing complications associated with living with type 1 diabetes and improving quality of life.

"Cell replacement therapies have the potential to be superior to insulin injections in managing diabetes, providing better glucose control with reduced daily management burden for people with type 1 diabetes," states Dr. Tamara Darsow, Vice President, Research Programs at the American Diabetes Association. "The promise of an unlimited source of beta cells from rapidly evolving stem cell technology is coming closer to reality, creating an even greater need for research on how to improve the survival of insulin-secreting cells post-transplantation."

FDR was founded in 1999 with a mission to support research aimed at a cure for type 1 diabetes and prevention of its severe complications. FDR's mission aligns seamlessly with the Association's aim to provide funding for critical diabetes research and accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into practical, life-enhancing treatments and programs.

Dr. Qizhi Tang, an Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco, is the lead researcher for the collaboratively supported grant. As a result of working closely with people living with type 1, their families and physicians, Dr. Tang was inspired to pursue research into improving islet transplantation. She observed patients undergoing islet transplantation go into the procedure thinking they were on the brink of a cure, but faced with limited success due to the fact that more than 80 percent of islets die within days of transplantation. Dr. Tang's project is designed to test ways to improve islet survival after transplantation, with a goal of making transplants more successful and giving people with type 1 diabetes better control over blood glucose, preferably without a need for insulin administration.

"Our organization is excited to collaborate with the American Diabetes Association," said Dr. Gary Meininger, Chair, Foundation for Diabetes Research Grant Committee. "It is rewarding when our foundation's mission to advance research towards a cure for type 1 is amplified through such a unified effort."

The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes® and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. For the past 75 years, our mission has been to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (800-342-2383) or visit diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.

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SOURCE American Diabetes Association Research Foundation