Diabetes – Immunovirology

Our research

There is still no cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D), a disease which is associated with severe chronic complications. Obtaining a comprehensive understanding of the triggers and mechanisms responsible for beta cell loss in T1D is crucial for establishing therapeutic approaches that can either slow down or prevent the disease.

Our research focuses on understanding how viruses interact with the immune system to initiate immune-mediated destruction and functional loss of insulin-producing beta cells within the pancreatic islets of Langerhans, ultimately contributing to the onset of T1D.

To achieve these objectives, our research methodology integrates cutting-edge technologies with both state of the art and traditional physiological, virological, immunological, and molecular biological techniques. These multifaceted approaches form the cornerstone of our efforts to elucidate the immune viral pathogenesis of T1D.

Aims

• To uncover the role of common viruses, known as enteroviruses, in triggering beta cell autoimmunity and T1D.
• To unravel the molecular mechanisms that underlie the interactions between enteroviruses, pancreatic beta cells, and the host immune responses in T1D pathogenesis.
• To discover non-invasive biomarkers for assessing viral infection of the pancreatic beta cells.

Impact

We hope that our projects will contribute to groundbreaking new insights into how viruses and the immune system impact pancreatic cells. This research can help pave the way for designing selective intervention strategies aimed at protecting children from developing islet autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes.

Research output

Link to a list of research output by the group in Lund University’s research portal

Team members

Link to a list of team member in Lund University’s research portal