The primary global charitable funder of type one diabetes research has developed a new partnership with the support group Diabetes Ireland aimed at developing new treatments for the condition.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), which spends 70 million dollars per annum on research, has developed a partnership with the Diabetes Ireland to encourage high quality type 1 diabetes research and provide an opportunity for Irish people to be part of the global work of JDRF into finding a cure for Type 1 diabetes.

Under the umbrella of the Diabetes Ireland Research Alliance, the subsidiary charity of Diabetes Ireland, the partnership will aim to:

* Encourage high quality type 1 diabetes research in Ireland.

* Promote Ireland as a JDRF base for international-led research into finding a cure for diabetes.

* Build a sustainable relationship with Irish based scientists and researchers.

* Raise funds for Type 1 diabetes research.

Chairperson of the Diabetes Ireland Research Alliance, Professor Seamus Sreenan said: "this is a fantastic opportunity for Irish based scientists and researchers to build a sustainable relationship with JDRF and work towards being part of its huge Type 1 diabetes research programme."

He said the shared aim would now be to develop Ireland's contribution in the field of type 1 diabetes research through the partnership and by doing so we can ensure this research in Ireland can move forward.

"It is also an opportunity for the Irish community to directly donate to this research".

The partnership will hold a public research open meeting focusing on these developments in the Heritage Hotel, Portlaoise on Monday March 26 at 7.30pm

Speaking at the meeting will be Professor Sreenan on current type 1 research developments which will include the Diabetes - genes, autoimmunity and prevention (DGAP) research project. Insights from this study have the potential to lead to key drug developments aimed at preventing or reversing type 1 diabetes.

Also speaking on the day will be Ms Emma Warrington, on how she and her family got involved with the D-GAP research project. Dr. Craig Beall will present his research which aims to develop novel therapies designed to minimise hypoglycaemia (low blood sugars) risk in people with type 1. This project will investigate a method cells in the body use to sense hypoglycaemia.

Last year the partnership set itself a target of raising €75,000 per annum for Type 1 research. This fund is split between the D-GAP project that JDRF funds in the UK and an Irish Type 1 project looking at the factors which influence self-care and quality of life in young Irish adults with Type 1 diabetes.

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