Why the Diabetes Center?

A Catalyst for Improved Treatments and Cures

Our entire team of researchers and clinicians are focused on improving the lives of those living with diabetes and curing this disease for future generations.

We are proud of our history of bringing breakthrough discoveries to patients.  One of our most ground-breaking discoveries was in 1979 when our team cloned the gene that produces insulin – the first step in creating the unlimited supply of human insulin that is now available today.  Not only did we make this discovery, we were the institution that coordinated the first multi-center clinical trial of human insulin in the 1980s.

Thirty years later, we continue to lead cutting-edge research efforts destined to change lives.  Our Center Director, Jeffrey Bluestone, PhD, has created a monoclonal antibody, anti-CD3, which appears to halt the autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in type 1 diabetes.  Embraced by private industry in the fall of 2007, Dr. Bluestone’s drug is the furthest that an exclusively type 1 treatment has progressed in drug development and commercialization. 

Since 2000 when we merged the research and clinical arms of the Diabetes Center, we have continued to advance both diabetes research and our clinical care programs.  We’ve created a document, Millennium Milestones, which shares our recent journey of discovery to help those living with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Our passion for taking laboratory research to the patients in the clinic is unmatched.  We invite you to learn more about our exciting research and clinical care programs that are helping to improve the lives of those living with diabetes.

Supporting Great Science and Clinical Care

Even though our track record of success is notable, our plan for the future is ambitious – and we need your support.

Sadly, this difficult economic climate is beginning to create challenges for us, especially since so many of our traditional funding sources have been drastically diminished. 

We invite you to help us continue to shape the future of diabetes by making an investment in our program.  Fortunately, there are numerous ways you can make a financial contribution to the Diabetes Center at UCSF. 

On behalf of our researchers and clinicians, thank you for your interest in our efforts to create an improved quality of life for those living with diabetes.  Please be assured that we will continue to pursue the best possible scientific research, patient care, and education for our patients and for the diabetes community at large.