Among the points on the agenda are discussions on the latest efforts to stop type 1 diabetes using the GAD65 vaccine. A new biological marker that allows more precise prediction of who is at risk of developing type 1 diabetes will be presented, as well as new technology that increases the possibilities to study the inflammation that kills the insulin producing beta cells and cause type 1 diabetes. The latest development in stem cell and transplantation research is another topic on the program.
The lectures will be alternated with debates and discussions on new scientific studies. One of these will be a debate between Leif Groop and Jerry Palmer, professor in endocrinology from Seattle, USA, about the grey zone between type 1 and type 2 diabetes under the title “How much type 1 is type 2 diabetes?”.
-We will focus on discussing new angles of approach rather than on large lectures; on finding new ways to answer old questions, comments Corrado Cilio, associate professor at LUDC and co-host of the congress.
Type 1 diabetes, which usually affects children and young adults, is an autoimmune disease. The insulin producing cells are attacked by the immune system. So far, no one knows why the immune system malfunctions this way or how the attack can be stopped.
-The final goal of IDS is to prevent and treat type 1 diabetes, and it is a very intense and exciting time for this research field. The conditions have never been better, says Åke Lernmark.
The Swedish participants will be joined by experts from countries including USA, Canada, Great Britain, Denmark, Finland, Japan, China and Australia. The congress is held 17th to 20th May at Slagthuset, Carlsgatan 12, Malmö. Media is welcome to participate.
For more information:
Åke Lernmark, 0706 16 47 79, Ake [dot] Lernmark [at] med [dot] lu [dot] se (Ake[dot]Lernmark[at]med[dot]lu[dot]se)
Corrado Cilio, 0704 33 03 38, Corrado [dot] Cilio [at] med [dot] lu [dot] se (Corrado[dot]Cilio[at]med[dot]lu[dot]se)
International Scientific congress on type 1 diabetes
350 international top scientists are gathering in Malmö to attend the 10th international congress of the Immunology of Diabetes Society (IDS). The focus of the congress will be on how to prevent and cure type 1 diabetes.
-Malmö hosting such an event underlines Lund University Diabetes Centre’s (LUDC) position at the absolute scientific front. Not least when it comes to clinical studies aiming to prevent type 1 diabetes, says Åke Lernmark, professor in diabetes research at Lund University and one of the hosts of the congress.