Promoting careers in diabetes research
Diabetes reduces life expectancy and decreases the quality of life of affected individuals. Over time, it can damage vital organs such as the heart, blood vessels, kidneys and nerves, causing chronic life-threatening morbidities. Currently, diabetes is the seventh largest cause of mortality in the world. The Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) in Madrid, Spain and especially the area of diabetes and associated metabolic disorders (CIBERDEM) created the EU-funded DIATRAIN (Diabetes trans-national research advancement for investigators) mobility programme. The principal aim was to provide unique career development opportunities in the field of diabetes and associated metabolic diseases to experienced researchers – both CIBER staff and members of foreign institutions. More specifically, the CIBERDEM outgoing mobility programme (COMP) supported fellowships in non-Spanish research organisations, while the incoming mobility programme (CIMP) recruited experienced researchers in any of the CIBERDEM research groups. A total of eight COMP fellowships and four CIMP fellowships were awarded during DIATRAIN and candidates were selected on the basis of scientific merit and experience. Apart from invaluable scientific experience to participating researchers, the programme helped them improve their skills, knowledge and competencies through participation in relevant international events, courses and workshops. The researchers investigated various aspects of diabetes epidemiology, genetics and epigenetics as well as molecular determinants of pancreatic islet function. Regenerative medicine and advanced therapies were also developed based on novel therapeutic targets while significant insight was provided on the progression of type II diabetes. As a direct result of these fellowships, new collaborations formed between research groups with similar interests in the field of diabetes, which will hopefully translate in the future into more research funding. Study findings have advanced the field of diabetes and metabolic disorders and accelerated the transfer of results to clinical practice. Collectively, they will help prevent disease and slow the onset of complications, thereby improving the quality of life of diabetic individuals.
Keywords
Diabetes, CIBER, DIATRAIN, mobility programme, fellowship
