Research Profiles - Insulin at 90: Banting and Best’s scientific legacy

Dr. Frederick Banting and Charles Best

In 1921, Dr. Frederick Banting and his assistant, medical student Charles Best, began a series of experiments that would ultimately lead to the discovery of insulin. The discovery, and its impact on the treatment of type 1 diabetes, earned a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for Dr. Banting, along with Dr. John Macleod, in 1923. This year, we celebrate the 90th anniversary of this landmark discovery in the history of Canadian health research.

Although insulin doesn't cure diabetes, its use has saved millions of lives around the world and has allowed those who suffer from type 1 diabetes to live healthy, productive lives. It has also helped to fuel the growth of Canada's pharmaceutical industry.

Today, diabetes remains a formidable challenge. It is estimated that about 2 million Canadians over the age of one were living with diagnosed diabetes in 2006–07, and approximately 10% of these have type 1 diabetes. But the number of people with type 2 diabetes is increasing dramatically across the country. This alarming trend is the result of our aging population, increases in rates of obesity and higher rates of diabetes among some segments of our population, such as people of Aboriginal, Hispanic or South Asian descent.

Today's diabetes researchers stand on the shoulders of Banting and Best's milestone achievement and they are committed to finding a way to effectively prevent, manage and cure diabetes. As scientific director of the CIHR Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes, I am extremely proud of the ongoing and internationally recognized contributions of the Canadian diabetes research community.

The following profiles highlight researchers who are building on the rich legacy of diabetes research in Canada.

Philip M. Sherman, MD, FRCPC
Scientific Director
CIHR Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes