This is how happy we get when we create beta cells in the lab! 🎉 @rksullivan.bsky.social joy says it all after successfully growing some beautiful beta cells - smiles all around 😊 More exciting research updates coming soon! #KCLT1DiabetesGrandChallenge #BetaCells #StemCellResearch

Throwback to our recent in-person PP meeting! The PPI team visited the animal lab for a first-hand look at the amazing research underway - a great chance for researchers to showcase their work and for PPI members to see progress up close 🔬 #PublicInvolvement #TeamScience #InnovationInAction

We’re excited to welcome Jess, Adya & Neve, joining 3 other UK sites to test stem cell–derived beta cells from Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI) (USA). This 12-month project aims to advance research toward scalable islet transplantation solutions. #StemCells #DiabetesResearch

✨Diwali at @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social ! ✨ Our team celebrated the festival of lights together. Big thanks to Adya for leading the celebration, sharing Diwali’s story, and treating us to vada pav, paneer tikka, samosas & coconut barfi! 🪔💛 #Diwali #TeamCulture #DiversityAndInclusion

✨ Welcome Ryea Arora, our newest Research Technician! ✨ MSc Pharmacology (with Professional Placement) from King’s College London. Loves reading, baking, travelling, and was a barista during uni! ☕📚✈️🍰 #KCLT1DiabetesGrandChallenge #NewTeamMember #WomenInSTEM #ResearchTechnician #WelcomeToTheTeam

100km. Two amazing cyclists, @tzuwenhong.bsky.social & @rksullivan.bsky.social, recently crushed it! 🚴‍♀️ Memories made, fluids consumed, and huge thanks to Shanta for cheering them on – your support made all the difference! 🌟 #WomenInSTEM #CyclingAdventures #TeamPride #KCLT1Diabetes

Tzuwen, our research fellow, presented on how islets are made to our PPI Steering Group and at @type1diabetesuk.bsky.social. Her creative, engaging talk showcased our team’s work, making complex science accessible and fun, and highlighting our research to patients and the wider diabetes community!

We were delighted to host our second in-person PPI meeting today! 🎉 A fantastic opportunity for the research team to connect with our PPI group, hear their perspectives, share updates, and engage in open discussions that highlight the importance of collaboration in shaping meaningful research.

🔦 Researcher Spotlight 🔦 Peter Jones has dedicated 30+ years at to diabetes research & teaching, serving as Head of Physiology (2016–23). Outside work he’s a walker, gardener, craft beer brewer, proud Granddad - and an occasional cornsnake breeder. #ResearcherSpotlight #DiabetesResearch

🔬 Research Spotlight Our research team is co-culturing beta cells (green) with supporter MSCs (red). Beta cells migrate into islet-like structures, while MSCs may leave behind scaffolds for survival. 🚀 Stay tuned for more updates - we’re just getting started! #kclt1diabetes #islettransplantation

@aileenking.bsky.social gave a tandem talk with Patrick McDonald at the DDEA Summer School (25–28 Aug), while Jana won a poster prize! They enjoyed the sessions, early swims, great food & networking with fellow PhD researchers in diabetes & endocrinology. #Diabetes #Endocrinology #Research

🌟 Research Spotlight 🌟 Meet @aileenking.bsky.social – Head of Pharmacology & Therapeutics at KCL & global leader in islet transplantation. Inspiring teacher, pioneering diabetes researcher, and all-round force of nature. Also skis, runs & kitesurfs! #T1D #STEM #KCLResearch

Great meeting with our PPI Lead, Sarah, who shared valuable feedback on PPI’s role in our research and ways to boost engagement. Her leadership and passion are vital in connecting our team with the wider PPI group. We finished with a lovely team lunch - always nice to connect beyond work! #PPI

Great to see our project co-lead, @aileenking.bsky.social sharing her insights and research at the Havering Patient Group meeting last week. She spoke about the team’s current work and the importance of involving patients in shaping research. #T1Dgrandchallenge #PatientVoices #ResearchMatters

Meet Prof. Shanta Persaud – PI on the T1D project + expert in beta cell biology at King’s! She’s a passionate educator, runner, boxer, skier, music lover (Beyoncé recently), Tate Modern member + quiz night fan. A true research powerhouse. #T1D #STEM #KCL #BetaCells #WomenInSTEM

Proud of our KCL T1 Grand Challenge team! 🎉 @aileenking.bsky.social is Runner-Up at KCL SHINE Awards, the Type 1 Diabetes team nominated for Team of the Year, & Shanta, @lydiagatward.bsky.social, and Sulakshitaa shortlisted for FoLSM Staff Awards! 👏 Inspiring work all around! #teamSMF #KCL

Throwback to our first in-person Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) meeting last November! This brilliant group brings lived experience and key insights that shape our research. We’re grateful for their contributions and look forward to continuing this journey. #PPI #kclt1grandchallenge

📢 We’re hiring a Research Technician at King’s College London, Guy's Campus! Join our diabetes research team working on stem cell-derived beta cells. Apply by 22 July 2025. 🔗 www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/118425-... #stemcells #diabetes #KCL

Who says lab life can't come with a side of fun? Throwing it back to an unforgettable evening at the EISG conference dinner in Sweden (June 11–13)! Great chats, great company, and even better vibes. Here’s to science and smiles! @eisg2025.bsky.social #EISG2025 #KCLT1GrandChallenge

Big shoutout to @williambw.bsky.social who completed his half marathon on June 8th in 1:47! He and his mates raised over £4,000 for Diabetes UK in memory of their friend Bernard. Running for a cause and making a real difference! @diabetesuk.bsky.social #kclt1grandchallenge#diabetesuk

Our star @lydiagatward.bsky.social rocked a science chat with primary schoolers (Years 1–6) at London Academy! From lab coats to fun experiments—and questions like “Do you make potions?”—inspiring future scientists one curious mind at a time! #STEMOutreach #FutureScientists #kclt1grandchallenge

Beautiful evening in Skåne. @kcltype1diabetes.bsky.social @eisg2025.bsky.social

At @eisg2025.bsky.social in Sweden — loving the science, the chats, and the new ideas! @williambw.bsky.social showcasing some of our team’s ongoing research. If you’re here too, come say hi! Excited to learn, share, and connect with brilliant minds in islet biology! #eisg2025 #kclt1grandchallenge

Shanta, Professor of Diabetes & Endocrinology at KCL and Principal Investigator of our project, took science to Westminster! She spoke at the Diabetes APPG in Portcullis House with Chair Tom Gordon MP, sharing exciting updates from our T1D Grand Challenge research. #kclt1grandchallenge #research

I had a lovely evening celebrating my inaugural lecture with friends, family and colleagues. I am so privileged to be surrounded by brilliant colleagues.

From islets to football tactics! @aileenking.bsky.social, Head of Pharmacology & PI of our research project, delivered a hilarious, heartfelt inaugural lecture—capturing her journey in diabetes research with wit, wisdom & science. #InauguralLecture #DiabetesResearch #T1D #kclt1grandchallenge

Welcome to the official BlueSky page for the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge at King’s College London! Our first post highlights Will’s fundraiser for Diabetes UK in memory of his friend Bernard. The team will be there to cheer him on! Link: www.justgiving.com/page/bernard... #T1D #DiabetesUK