A professor who has led pioneering work to uncover different subtypes of monogenic diabetes has been given a CBE.
Monogenic diabetes is sometimes referred to as MODY, which stands for maturity onset diabetes of the young.
The research carried out by Professor Andrew Hattersley (pictured) and his team has been pivotal in uncovering these genetic subtypes of diabetes, which fall outside of the main forms of the condition, type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Professor Hattersley, who is a professor of molecular medicine at University of Exeter and a consultant at the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, has been named on the Queen’s birthday honours list in recognition of the work.
Hattersley said: “I’m delighted and humbled to receive such a prestigious award. I feel privileged to work with such an excellent team, whose work has benefited tens of thousands of people worldwide.”
In 1995, Professor Hattersley and Professor Sian Ellard launched a laboratory dedicated to molecular genetics at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital focused on diabetes. They found that some diabetes subtypes are created by just a single change amongst the three billion components of genetic code.
Their studies have won an array of global accolades having led to both the diagnosis of new forms of diabetes and also influencing the treatments given to people with these conditions. Highlights include finding that certain new born children with a form of neonatal diabetes respond better to a tablet compared to multiple insulin injections. This changed clinical guidelines across the world.
Praising Professor Hattersley, University of Exeter’s vice-chancellor and chief executive Professor Sir Steve Smith said: “I cannot think of anyone who deserves such an honour more than Professor Andrew Hattersley. His internationally-renowned research into the genetic causes of diabetes has literally transformed the lives of thousands of patients worldwide through the development of innovative treatments.
Chief executive of the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust Suzanne Tracey, added: “Andrew has played a pivotal role in the study and treatment of diabetes both here in Exeter and internationally and we are absolutely thrilled he has received this honour. His groundbreaking work reinforces how important the role of research is in delivering outstanding care to our patients and we congratulate him on his latest achievement.”
Picture: Diabetes Times

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