Our mission & vision
Mission
Cure One accelerates the cure and prevention of type 1 diabetes through regenerative medicine. The internationally leading discovery and clinical physical research center brings together knowledge, experience, infrastructure and facilities. The center is equipped to make an impact on the realization of the goal.
Vision
Where science, research, innovation, and international collaboration take place, the development of the solution for type 1 diabetes accelerates and becomes accessible.
History
1921
1984
2006
2007
2023
2024
2025
Cure One from day one
Cure One is an initiative of the LUMC and Stichting DON. DON was founded in 2006 by Maarten de Gruyter, who wondered why so little concrete progress was being made in the Netherlands and Europe toward a solution for type 1 diabetes. Since then, DON has been fully dedicated to supporting and accelerating research aimed at curing type 1 diabetes, including both fundamental and clinical studies.
The establishment of Cure One in collaboration with the LUMC is a natural next step. DON plays a key role in funding the center. Every donated euro acts as a lever: it enables the attraction of additional public funds and gives Cure One and its top researchers the freedom to plan ahead. That freedom is invaluable.
It can be done. It must be done. And it will happen.
Cure One is a research center affiliated with the LUMC and deeply embedded in existing diabetes care. Multidisciplinary collaboration is at its core: researchers, physicians, and support staff combine their expertise around one clear objective – curing type 1 diabetes. The center aims not only to make an impact in Leiden but to grow into the beating heart of a European cure network for type 1 diabetes.
As a pioneer, the LUMC is no stranger to the field. Expertise and knowledge gained over decades in islet transplantation, regenerative medicine, stem cell biology, and immunology come together here. Over the years, this has led to numerous innovations, yet a cure remains out of reach for the vast majority of people with type 1 diabetes. Cure One is determined to change that.
The path to a cure has been set. At Cure One, we finish what we started.
"It is incredibly fascinating to study what goes wrong during the disease process and what we can do about it — especially when you have diabetes yourself."
René van Tienhoven - Researcher at Cure One and type 1 diabetes patient
We accelerate progress together
At Cure One, knowledge and expertise from various disciplines come together. Over a hundred researchers, physicians, and support staff collaborate to develop a scalable and sustainable treatment that truly cures—for all people with type 1 diabetes.
Thanks to current islet cell transplants, a very small group of people with severe type 1 diabetes can gain independence from insulin. However, only under strict conditions and with lifelong medication. Cure One is working on treatments that do not rely on immune-suppressing medication. Available for everyone.
Read more about our research teams
Research teams
Are you ready to write history?
At Cure One, you have the opportunity to work at the forefront of groundbreaking diabetes research. Whether in the lab, the clinic, or in support roles, you make an impact. Based at LUMC, we give you the space to work with focus and freedom toward a single shared goal: accelerating the cure for type 1 diabetes.
Together with an international team of experts, you will work in an environment where scientific excellence meets societal urgency. Here, there are no bureaucratic hurdles — just direct access to advanced facilities, funding, and collaboration.
Our current vacancies can be found on the LUMC website, or feel free to submit an open application.
