Grants 2021
In 2021 the Diabetes Research Foundation distributed a total of 550 000 euros in grant funds between 20 researchers or research groups.
Two two-year grants of 110 000 euros were awarded, one of which went to professor and Doctor of Medical Science Kirsi Pietiläinen, from the University of Helsinki. The other went to professor and Doctor of Medical Science Jussi Pihlajamäki, from the University of Eastern Finland.
Pietiläinens research group uses the grant in the study of adipose tissue mitochondrial insufficiency and insulin resistance caused by obesity and aging. Pihlajamäkis group focuses on digital intervention as a part of type 2 diabetes prevention.
The two-year grants of 55 000 euros were awarded Ph.D. and docent Maria Lindahl, as well as Psy.D. Katri Räikkönen.
The application criteria regarding the large grant were renewed this year, which was evident in the increased number of applicants as well as in the amount of grant funds awarded.
A majority of the research was focused on type 2 diabetes
We received 73 applications in total. Of those applications 50 were focused on type 2 diabetes, 29 were focused on type 1 diabetes, 6 on gestational diabetes and 7 were focused on other types of diabetes research. One application can be focused on more than one type of diabetes.
A majority of applications, 26 % in all, came from researchers working at the University of Turku. Other applicants hailed from the University of Helsinki (20,5 %), the University of Tampere (13,7 %) and the University of Eastern Finland (11,0 %).
All in all, researchers applied for a total of 2, 7 million Euros of our grant funds.
Two-year grants, 110 000 euros
Pietiläinen Kirsi, D.Med.Sc., M.Sc Food Sciences, the University of Helsinki
Adipose tissue mitochondrial insufficiency and inflammatory response as a mechanism for insulin resistance caused by obesity and aging
Pihlajamäki Jussi, D.Med.Sc., professor, the University of Eastern Finland
Targeted digital intervention in type 2 diabetes prevention
Two-year grants, 55 000 euros
Lindahl Maria, Ph.D., docent, the University of Helsinki
Studying the MANF growth factor as a regulator of beta cell ER stress in diabetes
Räikkönen Katri, Psy.D., the University of Helsinki
Sleep, cortisol and gestational diabetes – connection and significance to child neurological development
One-year grants, 10 000 – 27 000 euros
Viiri Keijo, Ph.D., docent, the University of Tampere, 27 000 euros
The role of F-actin cytoskeleton proteins in blood sugar balance regulation
The grant awarded Viiris research group also contains the following personal grant: Diaz Laura Martin, 16 400 euros.
Almeida-Souza Leonardo, Ph.D., the University of Helsinki, 25 000 euros
A study of how transformed FCHSD2-proteine activity leads to type 2 diabetes
The grant awarded Almeida-Souzas research group also contains the following personal grant: Almeida-Souza Leonardo, 25 000 euros
Karaman Sinem, Ph.D., docent, the University of Helsinki and Wihuri Research Institute, 26 350 euros
Vascular malfunction and factors that cause capillary loss in diabetes
Toivola Diana, Ph.D., docent, Åbo Akademi, 26 000 euros
New protector mechanisms and mutations connected to beta cells and diabetes
The grant awarded Toivolas research group also contains the following personal grants: thesis worker, 6 150 euros, student (summer job) 4,950 euros
Immonen Heidi, D.Med.Sc., the University of Turku, 10 000 euros
The prevention of type 2 diabetes in women that have had gestational diabetes: LIRAGEST study
Ollila Meri-Maija, D.Med.Sc., the University of Oulu, 15 250 euros
New perspectives on type 2 diabetes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Personal working grants, 6 000 – 10 000 euros
Rempelou-Rebelos Eleni, D.Med.Sc., Ph.D., the University of Turku, PET Centre, 10 000 euros
Studying insulin resistance and encephalitis in people using positron emission tomography
Ibrahim Hazem, M.Sc., the University of Helsinki, 6 000 euros
Using human pluripotent stem cells in a disease model of diabetes
Hirvonen Karoliina, M.Sc., the University of Turku, 8 200 euros
Predicting type 1 diabetes and studying the mechanisms that cause the disease using quantitative proteomics
Pekkarinen Laura, Lic.Med., MD (specialist), the University of Turku, PET Centre, 10 000 euros
Insulin sensitivity of the brain and peripheral tissue, and the amount of type 1 cannabinoid receptors in white and brown adipose tissue of young people with a risk of developing type 2 diabetes
Koivuniemi Ella, M.Sc., the University of Turku, 10 000 euros
Effective mobile support? E-health applications that help support a healthy life style and gestational diabetes self care
Kuusela Salla, Lic.Med., the University of Oulu, 8 200 euros
Hereditary diabetes as a risk factor for type 1 diabetes among children
Honka Miikka, Ph.D., the University of Turku, PET Centre, 9 800 euros
Metabolic health prediction through functional imaging and omics approaches
Ojala Ronja, B.M., the University of Turku, PET Centre, 10 000 euros
Workout effects on bone marrow metabolism among healthy as well as insulin resistant people
Pironetti Riina, Lic.Med., the University of Tampere, 8 200 euros
The psychosocial and socioeconomic backgrounds of children with type 1 diabetes, and their effect on blood sugar balance