The Life and Work of Diabetes Researcher Knut Dahl-Jørgensen

Photo: Julie Nybakk Kvaal, UiO

Professor and Senior Consultant Knut Dahl-Jørgensen has been researching viruses as a possible cause of type 1 diabetes for over 20 years. Despite being retired, he has no plans to stop anytime soon. Since becoming a Professor Emeritus, he has helped raise over 100 million kroner for diabetes research, and he remains deeply involved in research, continuously finding inspiration from the support of the scientific community and through collaboration with younger researchers and international colleagues.

“I think the future looks bright for our research, and I want to be a part of it.”

His interest in medicine was sparked by his own experiences with illness as a child. As an adult, he became a Professor at the Institute of Clinical Medicine at the University of Oslo and a Senior Consultant at Oslo University Hospital. His passion for diabetes research began at the Pediatric Department at Aker Hospital. He also served as Chairman of the Oslo Diabetes Research Centre from 2013 to 2018 and currently serves as the Chairman for the Aker and Ullevål Diabetes Research Fund.

Want to learn more about Knut’s fascinating journey and groundbreaking research? Check out the University of Oslo's podcast Universitetsplassen, in Norwegian, where Knut was recently featured.

Knut’s research has shown that viral infections might be involved in developing type 1 diabetes. In a 2023 study with 96 children and teens newly diagnosed with diabetes, his research group found that antiviral medication helped slow down the decline in insulin production. This groundbreaking discovery has earned significant international recognition, adding weight to the idea that type 1 diabetes may be triggered by viruses.

“This discovery significantly strengthens the argument that viruses are a cause of type 1 diabetes.”

The podcast interview offers insights into his career, his contributions to diabetes research, and what keeps him motivated. Don’t miss this inspiring episode!

This is a summary of a text originally published in Norwegian.

Longitudinal Improvements in Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes Outcomes: Insights from International Registries

A study, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology in November 2024, presents findings from a longitudinal analysis of more than 100,000 children with type 1 diabetes, using data from eight national and one international pediatric diabetes registries. Covering the period from 2013 to 2022, the study focuses on changes in HbA1c levels, treatment regimens, and acute complications, highlighting the positive impact of advancements in diabetes technology.

The study highlights substantial improvements in pediatric diabetes management on an international scale, driven by increased adoption of diabetes technology and stringent HbA1c targets. The Norwegian Childhood Diabetes Registry (NCDR) stands out for its high usage of insulin pumps and CGM, alongside impressive glycemic outcomes and low rates of acute complications. The NCDR has demonstrated significant performance improvements over the study period.

These findings underscore the importance of access to diabetes technology in achieving optimal diabetes care for children. The study advocates for continued advancements and equitable access to diabetes technology to further improve pediatric diabetes outcomes globally.

Oslo Diabetes Research Center congratulates the Norwegian Childhood Diabetes Registry for its outstanding performance and contributions to improving pediatric diabetes care.

Announcement: Funding for time to write applications for big research grants – Oslo Diabetes Research Centre

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Oslo Diabetes Research Centre is excited to announce that we are now open for applications for funding dedicated to providing time for researchers to work on applications for research funding. This program is designed to assist researchers in freeing up time from their regular work duties, allowing them to concentrate on preparing applications for significant external research grants.

Application Deadline: January 6th, 2025, 13:00

Funding Details:

• Up to 300,000 NOK available.

• 1–2 grants will be awarded.

• Each grant will cover 2–3 months of release time from clinical work during 2025

• This applies to applications in the range of >10,000,000 NOK, typically applications for KG Jebsen Center, Center of Excellence, large EU-Grants etc.

• The applications should ideally involve multiple groups within the research environment.

• The principal investigator must be affiliated with the Oslo Diabetes Research Centre to be eligible to apply.

Evaluation Criteria for Applications:

1. Complete Application:

   • Is the entire application filled out correctly?

2. Quality of the Project Proposal Draft:

   • Is the draft clear and understandable?

3. Realistic Plan:

   • Are the timeline and goals realistic so that the grants will be spent during 2025?

4. Justification for Release Time:

   • Is there a good justification for release time?

The steering committee of the centre will review all applications. In the event of a conflict of interest, supplementary expertise will be called upon to ensure an unbiased evaluation.

We encourage all interested parties to submit a complete application with the necessary attachments. Please note that your immediate supervisor must be informed about your submission, and any potential release time must be agreed upon before submitting the application. Failure to inform the supervisor can result in the application being rejected. The application form may be completed in English, Norwegian, or another Scandinavian language.

How to Apply:

1. Download and fill out the application form.

2. Submit the application form to Oslo Diabetes Research Centre using our online form.

Questions about the application can be directed to:

Advisor Stian Frammarsvik, stian.frammarsvik@medisin.uio.no

Application Deadline: January 6th, 2025, 13:00

Applicants will be informed about our decision by early February 2025.

Thank you for your interest! We look forward to receiving your application and contributing to important advancements in diabetes research!