All episodes

Today on Diabetes Insights, Prof. Raphael Scharfmann (INSERM, France) and Dr. Valeria Sordi (San Raffaele Diabetes Research Institute, Italy) join our host, Vivienne Parry to discuss the progress and remaining challenges in creating functional, insulin-producing beta cells from stem cells.

From the fundamental biology of pancreatic development to translational protocols for generating clinical-grade cells, our experts highlight how far the field has advanced and what hurdles remain before cell replacement therapies become a routine option for people with diabetes. They explore key questions around immune rejection, scalability, long-term viability of transplanted cells, and how the research community is navigating the...

In this episode, Professors Hood Thabit (University of Manchester, UK) and Helen Murphy (University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK) join Vivienne Parry and EASD to discuss the opportunities and persistent challenges in diabetes care in hospitals and pregnancy.

The conversation examines how diabetes technology - from continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) to hybrid closed-loop systems - is improving outcomes for people with diabetes in inpatient settings and for pregnant women with type 1 diabetes. The guests reflect on recent advances, national implementation success stories from the NHS, and gaps that still exist in gestational and type 2 diabetes care.

A compelling...

In this episode, we explore the fascinating history, fall, and resurgence of GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) in diabetes therapy. Once overshadowed by GLP-1, GIP is now back in the spotlight, thanks to dual and triple agonist therapies like tirzepatide. Experts discuss how GIP signaling in the brain may influence appetite and weight regulation, why early studies underestimated its therapeutic value, and what the future holds for multi-agonist drug development in metabolic disease.
Join Prof. Michael Nauck from the University of Bochum, Dr. Alice Adriaenssens from UCL and our host, Vivienne Perry as they revisit the incretin story, unpack recent breakthroughs...

In this episode, we explore the evolving world of cell therapy in type 1 diabetes. Professor James Shaw (Newcastle University), Dr Timothy Kieffer (University of British Columbia & Fractal Health), and Dr Trevor Reichman (University of Toronto) join EASD to discuss the established role of islet transplants and the exciting promise of stem cell–derived islets.

The conversation covers the clinical realities of pancreas and islet cell transplants, the challenges of immunosuppression, and how scalable, gene-edited stem cell therapies could shape the future of diabetes care.

From early trial successes to the potential of immune-evasive cells and gene therapies for GLP-1...

Today’s episode is special, as the topic was requested by members of the Early Career Academy. The spotlight is on work-life balance in academic medicine and research.

Dr Anna Krook from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden and Dr Benoit Gauthier from the Andalusian Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine Centre – CABIMER with the Ministry of Health of Andalusia in Spain, delve into the critical topic of work-life balance for everyone but specifically, early career academics.

Listen in as they discuss the unique challenges faced during this demanding period, including securing grants, managing teaching responsibilities, and navigating personal relationships. The conversation...

In this episode Diabetes Perspectives, Prof. Partha Kar, National Specialty Advisor for Diabetes with NHS England, shares how the UK became the first country in the world to offer universal access to continuous glucose monitors and hybrid closed-loop systems for people with type 1 diabetes.

Prof. Kar discusses the challenges of clinical inertia, the crucial role of patient advocacy, and how data-driven outcomes persuaded policymakers to invest in diabetes technology. He also offers lessons for healthcare leaders worldwide and explains why success isn’t just about funding but about listening to those living with the condition.

Join us for a practical,...

In this episode, Prof. Emma Ahlqvist (Lund University) and Prof. Matthias Blüher (University of Leipzig) join host Vivienne Parry to explore the future of type 2 diabetes. They unpack the shift from a one-size-fits-all approach to one that embraces stratified and personalised care.

From using machine learning to define diabetes subtypes to applying AI tools for screening, they share how new approaches could enable earlier diagnosis, better treatment choices, and improved outcomes. With obesity increasingly recognised as a chronic disease and not merely a lifestyle issue, they also discuss the need for broader access to therapies - and how stigma...

In this episode of Diabetes Insights, we’re talking about a topic that doesn’t get nearly enough attention in diabetes care: Sexual Health. Studies show that people with diabetes are twice as likely to experience sexual dysfunction, yet many patients and healthcare professionals struggle to discuss it openly.
Join host Vivienne Parry as she speaks with Dr. Aleksandra Uruska, a diabetologist from Poznań University of Medical Sciences, and Dr. Marieke Dewitte, a clinical psychologist and sexologist from Maastricht University.
Together, they explore the biological, psychological, and social factors affecting sexual health in diabetes, the importance of breaking the stigma, and how...

Could weight loss be the key to managing heart failure? In this episode of Diabetes Insights, we dive into the STEP-HFpEF trial, a groundbreaking study exploring the role of GLP-1 receptor agonists in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).
Host Vivienne Parry speaks with Prof. Melanie Davies (University of Leicester), Prof. Mark Petrie (University of Glasgow), and Prof. Mikhail Kosiborod (Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute, USA) about the link between obesity, diabetes, and HFpEF, and how weight management could transform heart failure treatment.
With trials already in motion to explore prevention, could we stop HFpEF before it starts?...

In this episode of Diabetes Insights, we explore the power of screening in type 1 diabetes and the potential for early intervention. Host Vivienne Parry speaks with EASD President, Prof. Chantal Mathieu and Prof. Annette Ziegler about groundbreaking research into detecting type 1 diabetes in its earliest stages.

With new disease-modifying therapies on the horizon, early screening is no longer just about preventing complications at diagnosis but it could delay the onset of diabetes and open doors to future treatments.

We discuss how registries, European-wide collaboration, and real-world screening initiatives are shaping the future of early detection, patient monitoring, and...