Funding has been awarded to a University of Oxford project looking to develop a cure for type 1 diabetes.

The Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge, a partnership between the Steve Morgan Foundation, Diabetes UK, and Breakthrough T1D, has announced funding for the project lead by the University of Oxford's Radcliffe Department of Medicine.

It aims to develop long-lasting, effective beta cell therapies for type 1 diabetes, using the immune system evading properties of tick saliva.

There are around 7,860 people in the Oxfordshire area living with type 1 diabetes, a condition where the immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.

Professor Shoumo Bhattacharya, professor of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Oxford, said: "Ticks have evolved over millions of years to block inflammatory signals called chemokines.

"Chemokines cause beta cell inflammation which is important in the development of type 1 diabetes and can cause transplanted beta cells to fail.

"We are very excited to receive funding from the Grand Challenge, with which we aim to develop tick-inspired treatments to help people with type 1 diabetes, which could improve the success of beta cell transplants."

The researchers aim to use a tiny piece of the protein that blocks chemokines, called a peptide, found in tick saliva, to help beta cells avoid immune system attacks after transplantation.

If successful, this research could lead to the development of therapies that do not require immunosuppressant drugs, eliminating the need for daily insulin injections or insulin pumps, and constant blood sugar monitoring.

Dr Elizabeth Robertson, director of research at Diabetes UK, said: "These high-risk, high-reward, innovative projects exemplify the transformative potential of the research funded by the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge.

"Bold, cutting-edge approaches, like drawing inspiration from ticks to boost the success of beta cell transplants, help us to step closer to revolutionising the way type 1 diabetes is treated and improving the lives of those affected by the condition."

The funding comes from a £50 million investment from the Steve Morgan Foundation, which is supporting teams of researchers to develop new treatments and cures for type 1 diabetes.

Rachel Connor, director of research partnerships at Breakthrough T1D, said: "This project at the University of Oxford exemplifies the kind of ground breaking work that can happen when scientists have the opportunity to come together and think creatively.

"By exploring the unique properties of tick saliva, this research could lead to innovative therapies that not only improve the lives of those living with type 1 diabetes but also help pave the way for a future without the burden of daily insulin management."