Two leading diabetes research centres, 16,000 kilometres apart, working together for people living with diabetes.
Researchers at the Baker Institute and Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen have a long tradition of working together. In October 2025, the two institutes signed a memorandum of understanding to build on those connections. The partnership gives the institutes a shared framework to deepen and broaden their collaboration through joint research, funding applications and exchanges of staff and students.
Like the Baker Institute, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen combines a clinical diabetes service with a strong research program. Its research spans clinical trials, population health and basic science, as well as education and healthcare service interventions. These strengths both mirror and complement our own work in diabetes, making the two institutes natural partners.
The partnership is currently focussing on three areas where the institutes already have strong links.
Epidemiology and biobanks
Both institutes hold large cohort studies, administrative datasets and biobanks. They also bring complementary skills in demography, statistical analysis and clinical epidemiology. By combining these strengths and data resources, the partnership aims to lift research quality and open new opportunities for biomarker research.
Digitally enabled care
Researchers at both institutes share an interest in how digital technology can improve care for people with diabetes and other complex long-term conditions. This includes mobile health (mHealth) apps, wearable sensors and clinical decision support. The partnership seeks to strengthen this work through joint projects and grant applications. The focus will be on co-designing and implementing these tools and integrating them into healthcare.
Epigenetics
DNA methylation helps program the development and progression of diabetes complications. This work aims to identify the epigenetic biomarkers linked to those complications. It will build on existing collaborations between the two institutes. The partnership also hopes to create internship opportunities at both institutes for University College Copenhagen students.
