KCL Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge
@kcltype1diabetes.bsky.social
Official page of our King’s College London project, supported by the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge. We’re developing stem cell-based insulin-producing cells to help restore natural blood sugar control. Excited to share our journey with you!
A great team-building day in the park last year 🌳 Stepping outside the labs to enjoy nature, brave the weather, and spend quality time together - with a surprise visit from a special furry friend who clearly wanted to join the team!
#KCLT1DiabetesGrandChallenge #teambuilding
#KCLT1DiabetesGrandChallenge #teambuilding
January 29, 2026 at 2:23 PM
A great team-building day in the park last year 🌳 Stepping outside the labs to enjoy nature, brave the weather, and spend quality time together - with a surprise visit from a special furry friend who clearly wanted to join the team!
#KCLT1DiabetesGrandChallenge #teambuilding
#KCLT1DiabetesGrandChallenge #teambuilding
We have successfully reached the end of our first batch of ARMI cells! 🧬
Looking back at these pictures makes us so proud of how far we’ve come. Now, we eagerly await our second batch of cells and the exciting research ahead.
#KCLT1Diabetes #ARMIcells #cellculture #research
Looking back at these pictures makes us so proud of how far we’ve come. Now, we eagerly await our second batch of cells and the exciting research ahead.
#KCLT1Diabetes #ARMIcells #cellculture #research
January 22, 2026 at 2:37 PM
We have successfully reached the end of our first batch of ARMI cells! 🧬
Looking back at these pictures makes us so proud of how far we’ve come. Now, we eagerly await our second batch of cells and the exciting research ahead.
#KCLT1Diabetes #ARMIcells #cellculture #research
Looking back at these pictures makes us so proud of how far we’ve come. Now, we eagerly await our second batch of cells and the exciting research ahead.
#KCLT1Diabetes #ARMIcells #cellculture #research
🔬 Researcher Spotlight: @tzuwenhong.bsky.social
Postdoc funded by the Steve Morgan Foundation & KHP DEO, studying how support cells help beta cells survive for diabetes therapies. Marathon runner, triathlete & our go-to lab photographer 📸🏃♀️
#KCLT1DiabetesGrandChallenge #WomenInScience #STEM
Postdoc funded by the Steve Morgan Foundation & KHP DEO, studying how support cells help beta cells survive for diabetes therapies. Marathon runner, triathlete & our go-to lab photographer 📸🏃♀️
#KCLT1DiabetesGrandChallenge #WomenInScience #STEM
January 15, 2026 at 11:38 AM
🔬 Researcher Spotlight: @tzuwenhong.bsky.social
Postdoc funded by the Steve Morgan Foundation & KHP DEO, studying how support cells help beta cells survive for diabetes therapies. Marathon runner, triathlete & our go-to lab photographer 📸🏃♀️
#KCLT1DiabetesGrandChallenge #WomenInScience #STEM
Postdoc funded by the Steve Morgan Foundation & KHP DEO, studying how support cells help beta cells survive for diabetes therapies. Marathon runner, triathlete & our go-to lab photographer 📸🏃♀️
#KCLT1DiabetesGrandChallenge #WomenInScience #STEM
Welcoming 2026 after a wonderful festive break ✨ Excited for new discoveries, impactful research updates, and more team moments as we drive progress in Type 1 Diabetes research.
January 8, 2026 at 4:38 PM
Welcoming 2026 after a wonderful festive break ✨ Excited for new discoveries, impactful research updates, and more team moments as we drive progress in Type 1 Diabetes research.
Spreading festive cheer with the best team! 🎅🎄
We celebrated Christmas on campus with our own Santa & Elf, gift-giving, plenty of laughter, and amazing food - quality-checked and approved by Aileen 😉
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! ✨🎉
We celebrated Christmas on campus with our own Santa & Elf, gift-giving, plenty of laughter, and amazing food - quality-checked and approved by Aileen 😉
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! ✨🎉
December 18, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Spreading festive cheer with the best team! 🎅🎄
We celebrated Christmas on campus with our own Santa & Elf, gift-giving, plenty of laughter, and amazing food - quality-checked and approved by Aileen 😉
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! ✨🎉
We celebrated Christmas on campus with our own Santa & Elf, gift-giving, plenty of laughter, and amazing food - quality-checked and approved by Aileen 😉
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! ✨🎉
Shout-out to our team for taking part in the annual Foodbank Run/Walk from London Bridge to Pecan, helping provide much-needed support to the local community this season!
#KCLT1DiabetesGrandChallenge #CommunitySupport
#KCLT1DiabetesGrandChallenge #CommunitySupport
December 11, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Shout-out to our team for taking part in the annual Foodbank Run/Walk from London Bridge to Pecan, helping provide much-needed support to the local community this season!
#KCLT1DiabetesGrandChallenge #CommunitySupport
#KCLT1DiabetesGrandChallenge #CommunitySupport
Our team had a great time at the T1D Grand Challenge Symposium this week - sharing our research and PPI work, meeting brilliant teams, and gaining fresh insights. Grateful for the collaborations and inspired for what’s next! #kclt1diabetesgrandchallenge #Research #PPI
December 3, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Our team had a great time at the T1D Grand Challenge Symposium this week - sharing our research and PPI work, meeting brilliant teams, and gaining fresh insights. Grateful for the collaborations and inspired for what’s next! #kclt1diabetesgrandchallenge #Research #PPI
Here’s the team during our monthly SMF project meeting - catching up on research updates, planning follow-ups, strengthening PPI involvement, and exploring new ways to improve the project.
And of course… fuelled by Rosie's homemade cinnamon rolls. A productive meeting and a delicious one! ✨
And of course… fuelled by Rosie's homemade cinnamon rolls. A productive meeting and a delicious one! ✨
November 26, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Here’s the team during our monthly SMF project meeting - catching up on research updates, planning follow-ups, strengthening PPI involvement, and exploring new ways to improve the project.
And of course… fuelled by Rosie's homemade cinnamon rolls. A productive meeting and a delicious one! ✨
And of course… fuelled by Rosie's homemade cinnamon rolls. A productive meeting and a delicious one! ✨
On #WorldDiabetesDay, we celebrate the strength of everyone living with Type 1 diabetes. At King’s College London, the Steve Morgan Foundation Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge is powering research that fuels hope and drives real change. 💙
November 14, 2025 at 3:01 PM
On #WorldDiabetesDay, we celebrate the strength of everyone living with Type 1 diabetes. At King’s College London, the Steve Morgan Foundation Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge is powering research that fuels hope and drives real change. 💙
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
@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
November 6, 2025 at 12:55 PM
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
@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
#PublicInvolvement #TeamScience #InnovationInAction
October 30, 2025 at 11:14 AM
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
#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
#StemCells #DiabetesResearch
October 23, 2025 at 9:18 AM
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
#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
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
October 16, 2025 at 1:47 PM
✨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
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
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
October 9, 2025 at 11:23 AM
✨ 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
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
#WomenInSTEM #CyclingAdventures #TeamPride #KCLT1Diabetes
October 2, 2025 at 10:51 AM
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
#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!
September 25, 2025 at 11:51 AM
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.
September 17, 2025 at 4:54 PM
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
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
September 11, 2025 at 9:57 AM
🔦 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
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
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
September 4, 2025 at 9:42 AM
🔬 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
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
They enjoyed the sessions, early swims, great food & networking with fellow PhD researchers in diabetes & endocrinology.
#Diabetes #Endocrinology #Research
August 28, 2025 at 10:34 AM
@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
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
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
August 14, 2025 at 8:47 AM
🌟 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
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
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
August 7, 2025 at 9:29 AM
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
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
She spoke about the team’s current work and the importance of involving patients in shaping research.
#T1Dgrandchallenge #PatientVoices #ResearchMatters
July 31, 2025 at 11:54 AM
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
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
#T1D #STEM #KCL #BetaCells #WomenInSTEM
July 24, 2025 at 10:25 AM
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
#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
@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
July 17, 2025 at 11:43 AM
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
@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