The new episode of the podcast ‘A Glimmer of Science’ is titled “Type 1 Diabetes: When Your Defense Attacks You”. The audio series, promoted by the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), explains in its second installment the problem of autoimmune diseases, with a focus on type 1 diabetes. Our researcher Marta Vives Pi shares her knowledge about the disease and the ongoing research. As a novelty, a patient diagnosed a few weeks ago also participates, explaining the life changes she has faced. The episode was launched in the context of World Immunology Day.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, where the immune system attacks cells in the body. There is treatment to control the disease, but it cannot be prevented or cured. Moreover, it is chronic and directly affects the quality of life of those affected, usually from a very early age. Given these circumstances and the increasing number of cases in recent years, investing in research is crucial.
The episode is developed through the explanations of Dr. Marta Vives Pi, leader of the Diabetes Immunology Research Group at IGTP and scientific director of the spin-off Ahead Therapeutics. The first few minutes provide context about autoimmune diseases, a group of diseases that affect one in ten people in developed countries. Subsequently, it delves into type 1 diabetes, addressing its functioning, historical aspects, and placing patients at the center of the discussion.
To talk about the difficulties faced by patients, Alba, from IGTP’s Innovation Unit, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes about a month ago, shares her experience. She explains how her life has changed since then and how she has faced the challenges of the disease.
Finally, Dr. Vives Pi provides an overview of her group’s research lines and explains how one of them, an immunotherapy based on nanoparticles, led her to create a spin-off. The future seems hopeful, although there is still much work to be done. Basic and translational research are bearing fruit, and it remains to be seen what advances will be made in the coming years and whether a definitive cure will be possible.
You can listen to the episode on Spotify, iVoox, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts.