Diabetes
 Prof John Prins
Centre for Diabetes & Endocrinology
The Centre for Diabetes and Endocrine Research comprises approximately 45 students, scientists and doctors involved in research relating to diabetes, obesity and bone disease.
A major focus of activity has been trials of “lifestyle intervention” in people with obesity and/or type 2 diabetes. The aim of the research is to enrol patients in a diet and exercise program over months to years, and measure the benefits of the program on heart disease, diabetes, weight, fitness and requirement for medications. A second aim is to assess whether the lifestyle intervention might slow down the progression of these illnesses.
These studies complement the laboratory-based research also done in the Centre. This work focuses on fat tissue and cells with a view to understanding the factors that influence their growth. By increasing our understanding of this, we may be able to identify new ways to influence the growth of fat cells, and hence develop better treatment strategies for obesity and diabetes.
Also in the laboratory, we are studying the growth of bone cells, again with the aim of identifying new treatments for bone diseases, particularly osteoporosis. This work is soon to extend into animal experiments which will give more information about bone growth and deterioration in the setting of a whole animal.
Results of the above research have been presented at local, national and international meetings and have formed the basis of a number of research and clinical publications.
The above work will, in the long term, contribute to better treatments of these common conditions – obesity, diabetes and osteoporosis. The work has also provided valuable training to a number of students, scientists and doctors.
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