Problem

Tens of millions have type 1 diabetes (T1D); a condition caused by insulin deficiency. Untreated T1D is lethal. Insulin therapy is the only option for T1D patients. However, insulin therapy is suboptimal as it is unable to restore metabolic homeostasis and can lead to serious and life-threatening unwanted effects (e.g., insulin-induced hypoglycemia that is characterized by very low blood sugar level). Also, T1D patients remain at high risk of life-threatening conditions as for example ketoacidosis that is characterized by low blood pH level owing to uncontrolled adipose tissue breakdown and ketogenesis in the liver. Cardiovascular complications leading to heart attack, stroke, and/or blindness and a considerable reduction of lifespan are also characteristics of T1D patients.

 

Solution

In the last 15 years the Coppari laboratory in the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Geneva has been performing research on mechanisms permitting life without insulin. The research laboratory has unmasked previously unimaginable mechanisms that can lower blood sugar level, control lipid metabolism and prolong lifespan in a completely insulin-independent fashion and without the risk of hypoglycemia. These endeavors have brought to light new molecular targets that are currently assessed for pharmacological safety and efficacy in T1D.

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Who

This project will be conducted in the laboratory directed by Prof. Roberto Coppari at the Diabetes Center of the University of Geneva. The team is made of Prof. Coppari who will ensure the successful development of the project and his team members: Drs. Gloria Ursino (post-doctoral fellow), Szabolcs Zahoran (post-doctoral fellow), Pryscila Sousa Teixeira (post-doctoral fellow), Luca Galgano (post-doctoral fellow), Giorgio Ramadori (scientific collaborator), and Mrs. Laura Magnabosco (graduate student), Mrs. Giulia Lucibello (graduate student), Mrs. Ariane Widmer (laboratory technician) and Mrs. Soline Odouard (laboratory technician).

 

For more information, please see the team here:

 

https://www.unige.ch/medecine/diabetescentre/membres/roberto-coppari

 

(Principal Investigation: Prof. Roberto Coppari; University of Geneva; Switzerland)