At the 16th Annual Spring Research Briefing, held on March 23, 2015 at the Seaport Hotel and World Trade Center, we celebrated the most extraordinary 12 months of research advances in the history of JDRF—highlighted by Dr. Douglas Melton’s discoveries, astonishing artificial pancreas advances and countless other real milestones toward our goal, funded and led by JDRF.

Our featured presenters included Derek K. Rapp, President & CEO, JDRF; John Brady, Chairman, International Board of Directors, JDRF; and Douglas Melton, PhD, Xander University Professor, Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Harvard Medical School. 

JDRF has awarded Dr. Melton $4 million in grants to support research currently being conducted in his lab. Dr. Melton’s work is focused on using stem cells to develop insulin-producing islets, with the ultimate goal of using these islets in new type 1 diabetes (T1D) therapies and as a screening tool to evaluate novel beta-cell therapy drugs. These novel therapies aim to make individuals living with T1D insulin independent.  The collaboration between JDRF and Dr. Melton is an example of how JDRF leverages its funding resources to bring together T1D research stakeholders to advance novel forms of care that will improve and save lives.

View video of the Spring Research Briefing presentations:

Our ability to sustain meaningful progress in bringing life-changing therapies from the lab to the community continues thanks to your ongoing support. You can continue to help us move toward our vision of creating a world without T1D by being part of our 33rd Annual Boston Gala.  100% of the funds raised during the Fund A Cure portion of the Gala will be directed toward T1D research projects like those mentioned above.  Whether you are attending Gala or not, please consider making a commitment to Fund A Cure.