A new European collaborative project on type 2 diabetes
Pierre Maechler, a professor in the Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, has been selected to contribute to a collaborative project on type 2 diabetes involving four universities. This project is funded by the European network programme 4EU+ Alliance, a transnational strategic association that aims to create one comprehensive research-intensive European University. Led by Laura Fumagalli, professor at the University of Milan, the researchers will investigate the mechanism of action of a recently identified molecule with a potentially pivotal role in both the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Taking advantage of its long experience in diabetes research and pancreatic beta-cells, the team led by Pr Pierre Maechler will study this new molecule in various scenarios, including diabetogenic conditions, to uncover its action on pancreatic beta-cells, with the ultimate goal of preventing the loss of these cells in situations leading to diabetes.
The involvement of the University of Geneva (UNIGE) in the European network programme 4EU+ Alliance serves as an example of how Swiss researchers can actively participate in European collaborations, overcoming the challenges posed by their exclusion from the Horizon 2020 programmes. This collaboration not only strengthens the global fight against diabetes but also illustrates the importance of cross-border partnerships in advancing scientific knowledge.