Research Unit
The Metabolic Diseases Research Unit conducts research projects on diabetes. The different research projects carried out focus on type 1 diabetes and cystic fibrosis related diabetes. Some of our projects also address type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes accounts for approximately 10% of all cases and is usually diagnosed during childhood. Type 1 diabetes is generally treated by intensive insulin therapy using multiple daily injections or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion pump. Despite available treatments, more than 60% of patients with type 1 diabetes do not achieve recommended glycemic (blood sugar) targets. Wide variations in sugar concentrations are observed and can lead to serious complications due to hyperglycemia (high blood sugar: damage to eyes, kidney and nerves) and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar: malaise and loss of consciousness).
The life expectancy of people with cystic fibrosis improves regularly. New major complications, such as cystic fibrosis related diabetes (high blood glucose levels), have emerged. The causes of cystic fibrosis related diabetes are not well established. The laboratory is attempting to shed light on the mechanisms involved in the development of cystic fibrosis related diabetes as well as on the association between high blood glucose levels and changes in weight and pulmonary function. The team also study various strategies to prevent or delay the development of cystic fibrosis related diabetes and its complications.

- Director, Metabolic Diseases research unit
- Director, Diabetes Clinic
- Director, research platform on obesity, metabolism and diabetes
- Full IRCM Research Professor
- Geographical full time associate professor, Department of Nutrition, Faculté de médecine, Université de Montréal
- Physician, Endocrinology Division, Medicine Department, CHUM
- Associate researcher, CHUM Research Centre
- Adjunct Professor, Department of Medicine (Division of Experimental Medicine), McGill University
- Holder of the J.A. DeSève Chair in clinical research
Awards and honours
- 2017 Research Award, from the FMSQ (Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec)
- 2015 IMS BROGAN Award, from the FMSQ (Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec)
- Three awards for excellence in teaching (2012, 2013-2014), Université de Montréal
- 2012 Pierre-Bois Excellence Award, IRCM Foundation
- 2010 Young Investigator Award, Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism
Other(s) function(s)
Projects and major discoveries
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Development of an external artificial pancreas
Recent developments in continuous glucose sensors and insulin pumps have motivated research towards the development of an external artificial pancreas to prevent hypoglycemia and improve diabetes control. The artificial pancreas allows the insulin pump to adjust insulin doses to sugar levels in order to reduce hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia events. Several research projects on the external artificial pancreas are ongoing in the research unit.
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Type 1 diabetes and exercise: strategies to reduce hypoglycemia
The objective of this series of studies is to identify the best strategies to prevent exercise-induced hypoglycemia. For example, members of the team want to identify the most appropriate time to reduce the basal insulin dose before exercise, the degree of reduction of the basal insulin dose during exercise, the time to resume the usual basal insulin dose, the type of snack to be taken before exercise, the prevention of hypoglycemia after exercise, etc.
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Caracterization of patients with type 1 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome
The objective of the project is to characterize patients with type 1 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome in terms of body composition, lifestyle (diet, fitness level, tobacco use, etc.) and diabetes management in order to better understand the emergence of the metabolic syndrome in this population and to propose measures to prevent and treat the metabolic syndrome.
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Cystic fibrosis related diabetes
The laboratory is attempting to shed light on the mechanisms involved in the development of cystic fibrosis related diabetes as well as on the association between high blood glucose levels and changes in weight and pulmonary function. Members of the team have reported benefits of physical activity on blood sugar levels and are now studying the impact of a diet intervention with a fiber supplement. We are also studying ways to simplify the diagnosis of this form of diabetes.
Dr. Rabasa-Lhoret actively participates to knowledge dissemination and continuing medical education. He has given more than 300 conferences up to now.
- J-A De Sève Foundation (research chair managed by IRCM)
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
- National Institute of Health (NIH, United States)
- Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (Canada & international)
- Diabetes Canada
- Cystic Fibrosis Canada
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (United States)
- Société Francophone du Diabète (SFD)
- Fondation du grand Défi Pierre Lavoie, Corporation de rechercher et d’action sur les maladies héréditaires, Fondation pour la recherche médicale (scholarships for graduate students)
- Funds from pharmaceuticals companies for research initiated by the industry of y our research group.
- Donation from individuals or associations (Diabète Lanaudière, etc.)
Support biomedical research
Contact information
Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM)
110, des Pins Avenue West
Montréal, Québec H2W 1R7