The Diabetes Research Foundation’s largest grant of 90,000 euros was awarded to Docent Vanessa de Mello Laaksonen from the University of Eastern Finland. Her research aims to help prevent type 2 diabetes among people with a high risk of becoming sick. Docent Tuure Kinnunen was awarded a grant of 60,000 euros to study the cells of the immune system that attack insulin-producing pancreatic cells.

In her research, de Mello Laaksonen studies what significance microbial indolepropionic acid has on glucose and fat metabolism in the liver and adipose tissue.

The large 2-year grant provides de Mello Laaksonen with a better requisite to function as the new head of the research group. The grant also makes it possible for a thesis worker to be attached to the research venture.

Kinnunen’s research increases the understanding of type 1 diabetes birth mechanisms, thus improving the possibilities of type 1 diabetes prevention. In addition to this, the research may help identify children with a heightened disease risk.

The 2-year grant awarded to Kinnunen will secure long-term funding for his research, which is of utmost importance with regards to sustainable research work.

In addition, Professor Tomi-Pekka Tuomainen was awarded a 1-year grant of approximately 27,000 euros for the Finnish Vitamin D Trial (FIND) to study the significance of vitamin D supplements in the prevention of type 2 diabetes