MEDIA RELEASE
Embargoed until 00.01 hours on Tuesday 13 September 2011
Cambridge diabetes researcher wins national award
Dr Helen Murphy, of Cambridge University, is to be presented with the
prestigious Joseph Hoet Research Award by the Diabetes Pregnancy
Study Group of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes
(EASD), at Queens College on 24 September for her Diabetes UKfunded research into the artificial pancreas.
Dr Murphy evaluated the performance of an artificial pancreas (closedloop insulin delivery system) in ten pregnant women with Type 1
diabetes2 last year. The device (pictured below) was able to
automatically provide the right amount of insulin at the right time,
maintain near normal blood glucose levels and, in turn, prevent nocturnal hypoglycaemia3 (low blood
glucose) in both early and late pregnancy. It is hoped the device could soon become widely available and,
by improving glucose control, lower the risk of serious complications among pregnant women with the
condition.
“I am thrilled to have been presented with this award,
which is testament to the hard work and dedication of
the Cambridge Artificial Pancreas team,” said Dr
Murphy.
“I am also extremely indebted to Diabetes UK and its
donors, without whom this research would not have
been possible,” she added.
Dr Victoria King, Head of Research at Diabetes UK, said: “This exciting area of research, championed by
Dr Murphy and others, has huge potential to make it easier for people to manage what is a complex and
difficult condition, and, in turn, minimise the risk of devastating complications of diabetes such as
blindness, amputation, kidney failure and heart disease.
“The device is a fantastic example of how research into technology can be adapted and developed to
benefit people with diabetes. We now look forward to the results of the extension to this and other similar
Diabetes UK-funded studies.”
- ENDS -
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Relations Team on 0207 424 1165 or email pressteam@diabetes.org.uk.
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Notes to editor:
1 Many people with diabetes already use an insulin pump, which removes the need for a series of daily insulin injections.
However they still have to test their blood glucose levels frequently and calculate the amount of insulin to take. In
comparison, the ‘artificial pancreas’ takes minute-by-minute glucose readings from interstitial fluid using a continuous
glucose monitor. The signal will then be transmitted wirelessly to a handheld computer, which calculates the amount of
insulin needed. That information is then sent to an insulin pump which delivers the insulin.
2 Type 1 diabetes develops when insulin-producing cells in the pancreas are destroyed. This type of diabetes usually appears
before the age of 40 and is the least common of the two main types and accounts for around 10 per cent of all people with
diabetes. Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, it is not known why it develops and it is not connected with being
overweight. People with Type 1 diabetes have to take insulin either via a pump or by injections several times a day to stay
alive. Type 2 diabetes develops when the body can still make some insulin, but not enough, or when the insulin that is
produced does not work properly (known as insulin resistance). Insulin acts as a key unlocking the cells, so if there is not
enough insulin, or it is not working properly, the cells are only partially unlocked (or not at all) and glucose builds up in the
blood. Type 2 diabetes accounts for between 85 and 95 per cent of all people with diabetes, usually affects people over 40
(over 25 in people from South Asian and Black backgrounds) and is treated with a healthy diet and increased physical
activity. In addition to this, medication and/or insulin is often required. In most cases the condition is linked with being
overweight and can go undetected for up to ten years meaning around 50 per cent of people show signs of complications by
the time they are diagnosed.
3 Hypoglycaemia (or a ‘hypo’) occurs when the level of glucose in the blood falls too low. If left untreated the person having
an hypo might, eventually, become unconscious. When a hypo happens the person often experiences ‘warning signs’, which
occur as the body tries to raise the blood glucose level. These ‘warning signs’ vary from person to person but often include
feeling shaky, sweating, tingling in the lips, going pale, heart pounding, confusion and irritability. In extreme cases
hypoglycaemia can lead to coma and can sometimes prove fatal.
4 Diabetes UK is the leading charity for over 3.5 million people in the UK with diabetes Diabetes UK spends £6 million on
diabetes research to investigate the causes and prevention of diabetes, to improve care and treatment of diabetes and
ultimately to work towards a cure. For more information visit www.diabetes.org.uk. In the UK, there are currently 2.8
million people diagnosed with diabetes and it is estimated that 850,000 people have Type 2 diabetes but do not know it.
5 Type 2 diabetes develops when the body can still make some insulin, but not enough, or when the insulin that is produced
does not work properly (known as insulin resistance). Insulin acts as a key unlocking the cells, so if there is not enough
insulin, or it is not working properly, the cells are only partially unlocked (or not at all) and glucose builds up in the blood.
Type 2 diabetes accounts for between 85 and 95 per cent of all people with diabetes, usually affects people over 40 (over 25
in people from South Asian and Black backgrounds) and is treated with a healthy diet and increased physical activity. In
addition to this, medication and/or insulin is often required. In most cases the condition is linked with being overweight and
can go undetected for up to ten years meaning around 50 per cent of people show signs of complications by the time they
are diagnosed.
6 One person is diagnosed with diabetes every three minutes in the UK. Diabetes is a serious condition that can lead to heart
disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and amputation if not managed in the correct way.
Diabetes, whether Type 1 or
Type 2, is a serious condition. Diabetes costs the NHS £1 million pounds an hour. Almost one in 20 people in the UK
have been diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes causes more deaths than breast and prostate cancer combined.
7 The Diabetes UK Careline (0845 120 2960) offers information and support on any aspect of managing diabetes. The line is
a low cost number and opens Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm (and operates a translation service). Recorded
information on a number of diabetes-related topics is also available on this number 24 hours a day.
8 Supporting our work as a ‘Diabetes UK Supporting Member’ entitles you to a range of benefits including our regular
magazine Balance, reliable information booklets on diabetes, our confidential Diabetes UK Careline, over 400 local
Diabetes UK support groups, and access to an exclusive personalised ‘Supporting Members Area’ on our website.