A symposium sponsored by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases showcased current research by six young scientists—Emily K. Sims, MD, Emilyn U. Alejandro, PhD, Rafael Arrojo e Drigo, PhD, Camille E. Powe, MD, Rochelle N. Naylor, MD, and Joshua J. Joseph, MD, MPH, FAHA—aimed at developing a more stratified medical approach…

Patients have rallied behind the development of do-it-yourself automated insulin delivery systems to manage their diabetes. Natalie J. Bellini, MSN, FNP-BC, Dana Lewis, BA, Anna Norton, MS, and David M. Maahs, MD, PhD, discussed potential ramifications for patients, clinicians, researchers, and even manufacturers of commercial closed-loop devices.

“Equity is our goal,” said Tiffany L. Gary-Webb, PhD, MHS. “But the reality is right now we’re not anywhere near that. The reality is that some people have much more than they need and there are other people who are digging themselves out of a hole.”

Jonathan Z. Long, PhD, Yu-Hua Tseng, PhD, Kristin I. Stanford, PhD, and Anthony W. Ferrante, MD, PhD, discussed emerging understanding of how organ systems communicate to regulate and maintain energy homeostasis.

Recent and emerging research sheds new light on the role of beta cells in the development and progression of type 1 diabetes. Carmella Evans-Molina, MD, PhD, explained the association between beta cell function and immune therapy efficacy.

Four experts—Tammer Elmarsafi, DPM, MBBCh, Foluso Fakorede, MD, Garneisha Torrence, DPM, MHMS, and Michael D. VanPelt, DPM—discussed surgical considerations in diabetes foot management at the Scientific Sessions.

Samuel Klein, MD, and Blandine Laferrère, MD, PhD, presented different viewpoints on whether the metabolic benefits of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery are due to weight loss alone.

Maria S. Remedi, PhD, Richard O’Brien, PhD, Aleksey Matveyenko, PhD, and Jennifer Bruin, PhD, explained several ways that diet and environmental factors can affect beta cell function, metabolic disease, and diabetes during the Scientific Sessions.

A panel of investigators including Billy Tsai, PhD, Peter Thompson, MSc, PhD, Emily May Walker, PhD, and Ernesto Nakayasu, PhD, BS, discussed how emerging and ongoing research into the mechanisms of beta cell senescence is providing new insight into the roles of beta cell aging and stress in the development and progression of diabetes.

Eleanor M. Scott, BM, BS, MD, FRCP, was one of five experts who addressed the utility of continuous glucose monitoring during pregnancy. A functional data analysis of two recent studies highlights the importance of tight glucose targets before the end of the first trimester for normal fetal growth, Dr. Scott said.