Innovative approaches to therapy
PD Dr. Barbara Ludwig of the University Hospital Dresden presented new diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, which are possible now or will be possible in the future: flash glucose measurement without finger pricking, closed loop systems that automatically provide the appropriate amount of insulin, as well as bioreactors that replace the destroyed pancreatic beta cells.
Dr. Jantje Gerdes of Helmholtz Zentrum München elaborated on the perspectives of regenerative diabetes research. In the future, beta cells derived from stem cells and artificial pancreases shall offer people with diabetes a better quality of life.
New agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes are also in the pipeline of the researchers. PD Dr. Michael Hummel, TU München/Helmholtz Zentrum München and member of the Diabetes Research Group, presented exciting insights into this topic.

Practical tips
Theresa van Gemert of the German Diabetes Center Düsseldorf and PD Dr. Andreas Lechner of Munich University Hospital vividly illustrated how important lifestyle, diet, exercise and motivation are for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Dr. Katharina Warncke of Children’s Hospital in Munich-Schwabing and Dr. Horst Seithe of Nuremberg Hospital reported about new insights regarding the early diagnosis of type 1 diabetes and the challenges in treating the disease.
Dr. Christoph Beck of Nuremberg Hospital impressively underscored the importance of detecting diabetes complications (of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes) and treating these in time.
Interactive information stands
Information about diabetes was not only offered in the lecture hall. At the DZD stand, the visitors could determine their personal risk of developing type 2 diabetes with the DIfE - GERMAN DIABETES RISK TEST®. The interactive DZD Research Memory game was popular with young and old alike. This playful introduction to the topic awakened visitors’ interest to learn more about current findings of diabetes research in the DZD. In particular, the most frequent questions were about new therapies. Furthermore, the information stands of the Diabetes Information Service Munich and various patient organizations informed the visitors about offerings for people with diabetes. Exhibits of the Diabetes Museum Munich rounded off the supporting program with a journey through time of the history of diabetes. During the breaks, the speakers were available for personal conversations and to answer further questions.
More information can be found on the website of the Diabetesinformationsdienst München (Diabetes Information Service Munich).