JDRF Metro Saint Louis / Greater MO Chapter » News

More research news from JDRF

intaglio — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:04:10 +0000

JDRF announced today, 8-30-10, another important step on the road to the development of an artificial pancreas with the establishment of a research program to speed the development of faster-acting insulin.

JDRF is funding investigators at leading academic institutions to test novel insulin formulations and delivery systems that may speed insulin action – making it work faster than the insulin currently used by people with diabetes around the world today. The objective is to use faster-acting insulin in an artificial pancreas system to more closely mimic a human pancreas in sensing blood sugar and secreting insulin in response.

One means to improve the speed of insulin action is to reformulate the molecule. JDRF will fund Dr. Bruce Buckingham of Stanford University to test such an insulin, Viaject, which is currently in development at Connecticut-based Biodel Inc. JDRF will also fund Dr. W. Kenneth Ward of Oregon Health Sciences University to perform artificial pancreas experiments with Viaject Insulin.

In addition to modifying the insulin molecule, another way to speed insulin action may be to improve the route of delivery. Currently, insulin is delivered subcutaneously (under the surface of the skin); this contributes to the slow action compared to insulin made in the pancreas. JDRF will provide grant funding to Dr. Howard Zisser at the Sansum Diabetes Research Institute to conduct studies there with AFREZZA®, a rapid-acting insulin being developed by California’s MannKind Corporation; inhaled at mealtime, AFREZZA achieves peak insulin levels quickly.

JDRF recently announced a collaboration with BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) to develop a microneedle-based delivery system. In addition, JDRF will provide funding to test two new devices also aimed at providing mechanical means to achieve faster insulin action. The first will support Dr. Howard Zisser at the University of California, Santa Barbara’s Sansum Diabetes Research Institute testing Roche Diabetes Care’s Accu-Chek® DiaPort system. The Accu-Chek DiaPort is a percutaneous port system, connected with an external pump, that delivers insulin directly to the liver, the primary site of insulin action. The second JDRF grant will support Dr. William Tamborlane of Yale University to test a unique warming device, InsuPatch, made by InsuLine Medical Ltd. Preliminary data suggests that this device, adaptable to most infusion pumps, considerably accelerates the action of insulin.

This new JDRF Insulin Initiative is another component in the four-year-old Artificial Pancreas Program, which looks to automate blood sugar control by combining continuous glucose monitors with insulin pumps and a sophisticated computer program that links the two. With JDRF funding, numerous clinical trials of early-generation artificial pancreas systems in people have demonstrated an ability to better control diabetes and lower the risk of dangerous low-blood sugar emergencies in people with type 1 diabetes.

“But one of the missing pieces remains an insulin that works faster,” said Aaron Kowalski, PhD, Assistant Vice President and Research Director of JDRF’s Artificial Pancreas Program. ”We can measure glucose levels in real-time, and through a computer program direct an insulin pump to give just the right amount of insulin in response to those levels. But currently available synthetic insulins can’t keep up from a time standpoint – once in the body, they can take dramatically longer to be assimilated than insulin produced by someone who does not have type 1 diabetes.”

Studies have shown that in people without diabetes, insulin is released and acts almost instantaneously. But even the fast-acting insulins currently available take more than 30 minutes to reach the bloodstream, and more than 90 minutes to reach peak effectiveness.

“A key to making an artificial pancreas system significantly better than current methods to manage diabetes is to mirror as much as possible how the human pancreas works,” said Sanjoy Dutta, Director of JDRF’s Insulin Initiative. ”So we either need faster-acting insulin or devices or a combination of the two that more quickly and efficiently deliver insulin.”

Dr. Dutta noted that while the JDRF insulin initiative is focused on developing new insulins and devices specifically to accelerate the development and commercial availability of artificial pancreas systems, faster-acting insulin would also have significant benefits for people with all types of diabetes who might chose not to use an artificial pancreas to manage their disease.

“Our work to date involving faster-acting insulin reflects the philosophy of JDRF’s Artificial Pancreas Project to partner with multiple academic and corporate researchers to speed the development of artificial pancreas systems,” Dr. Dutta said. ”Each of these projects holds promise to demonstrate that faster-acting insulins will help improve glucose control. And that gets us one step closer to much better treatments for people with diabetes, healthier lives, and fewer complications – while we continue the ultimate search for a cure.”

Carb Counting with Lenny

intaglio — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:33:34 +0000

Click here to count carbs with Lenny

Partnership with My Vintage Baby

intaglio — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:52:53 +0000

Our one year agreement launched on August 1st and is based on the Trista Sutter clothing line. Visit www.myvintagebaby.com for more information.

Marie Davis To Receive Women of Worth Award

intaglio — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:51:01 +0000

The Gateway Voice of Midlife and Older Women (OWL) is pleased to announce that Marie Davis, Executive Director of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Metro Saint Louis/Greater Missouri Chapter will be honored as a Woman of Worth at the WOW Awards dinner, Missouri Athletic Club on Thursday, October 14, 2010. If you are interested in attending the dinner (tickets are $69.00), please contact Patrick in the JDRF office at 314-729-1846 or metrostlouis@jdrf.org. All of St. Louis will soon know what we’ve known ALL along…Marie Davis is a WOW!

Samsung Helmet of Hope Program

intaglio — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 17:53:38 +0000

http://www.jimmiejohnsonfoundation.org/Events/Samsung-Helmet-of-Hope.aspx. They pick 2 children’s charities a week for 6 weeks and place their logo on Jimmie’s helmet…and donate $10,000 to each of them!

Animas presents…The 2010 Online Pump Triathlon Relay

intaglio — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 17:51:17 +0000

Just send in a video of your life in motion – on water, wheels or your own two feet! Just be yourself and have FUN! Then choose your favorite diabetes nonprofit. When we cross the finish line, we’ll donate $10K to the one most often chosen by all our triathletes. Visit www.pumptri.com and send in your video today!

Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures Special Screening – Award Winning Documentary about Missouri’s 2006 Campaign over Stem Cell Research

intaglio — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 17:49:25 +0000

Tuesday, August 24th, 7pm screening of “The Stem Cell Divide” at the St. Louis Jewish Community Center in Creve Coeur. Tickets are $7, reserve a seat now by calling 314-442-3179.

ASweetLife

intaglio — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 17:47:22 +0000

ASweetLife is a lifestyle magazine owned and written by diabetics who are also accomplished and recognized names. ASweetLife can make a strong and positive impact on diabetics nationwide and help people take care of themselves, live well and eat right. www.asweetlife.org

Meal Mommy

intaglio — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 17:44:44 +0000

The Meal Mommy is a web-based, healthy, meal-planning tool created to help families living with type 1 diabetes, but it’s also a great resource for anyone looking to eat healthier and live happier! www.mealmommy.com

Children’s Congress

intaglio — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 17:40:52 +0000

Held in odd numbered years, JDRF’s Children’s Congress brings more than 150 children with type 1 diabetes and their families to Washington, D.C. The participants represent all 50 states and the District of Columbia. They meet with Members of Congress and other key federal decision-makers to help educate them about the critical need for federal funding for type 1 research. The next Children’s Congress will take place on June 20-22, 2011. For more information, visit http://www.jdrftalk.org/2010/06/14/childrens-congress-2011-early-application-available/. The deadline for all applications is Monday, October 4th!