Research

The Diabetes Research Centre has more than 150 staff and postgraduate students, including over 30 academic staff. They comprise a multi- disciplinary team of consultants; research registrars, nurses, nurse fellows, and associates; and administration staff all located at the Leicester Diabetes Centre in the Leicester General Hospital. The Centre is jointly led by Professor Melanie Davies and Professor Kamlesh Khunti and managed by an Executive Committee including Sue Enright (Operations Director) and Tim Skelton (Chief Operating Officer).

The team works closely as an ecosystem, and the fusion of researchers, academic, technical, administrative and clinical staff has created a space for mutual learning and support. The team carries out academic and commercial studies in all areas of diabetes including:

• new oral treatments and combinations of treatments for diabetes
• new insulins, including inhaled insulin
• long term cardiovascular outcomes
• pre-diabetes and prevention of Type 2 Diabetes and early detection of Type 2 Diabetes and intensive treatment.

The Diabetes Research Centre has attracted a range of prestigious NIHR funded infrastructure. This is unique for the UK, allowing rapid progress across both translational gaps. This means we are able to move seamlessly from the generation of new ideas, to the development and evolution of new therapeutic approaches and health care tools and systems, and onto the implementation of these approaches into routine clinical care. This integrated approach reduces the time taken to move from experimental proof of concept studies to improved patient care.

The Diabetes Research Centre is part of The College of Life Sciences and is located at Leicester General Hospital. The Centre works closely with NHS organisations - University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL), Primary Care and local GP Practices. We are a research-led Centre engaged in national and international competitive research. The quality of the Diabetes research undertaken in Leicester has been further recognised by the award of the National Institute of Health Research Biomedical Research Centre and CLAHRC EM. The Centre has established an international reputation in the field of diabetes and cardiovascular research. It has successfully bid for and been awarded significant grants to promote diabetes and cardiovascular research.

The Centre plays a central role in the teaching of MSc in Diabetes. The course provides a wide range of approved, accredited M Level modules and short courses targeted at the specific needs of post-registration healthcare professionals. Modules focus on clinical, diagnostic and technical skills development whilst also providing an academic underpinning. The modules aim to provide the educational foundation for advanced/autonomous practice.

The quality of the Diabetes research undertaken in Leicester has been further recognised by the award of the National Institute of Health Research Biomedical Research Centre and CLAHRC EM. The Centre has established an international reputation in the field of diabetes and cardiovascular research. It has successfully bid for and been awarded significant grants to promote diabetes and cardiovascular research.