About the Brehm Coalition
Accelerating Diabetes Research
At the Brehm Coalition, our mission is to accelerate the search for a cure for type 1 diabetes by establishing a new paradigm for medical research based on unparalleled collaboration.
The Brehm Coalition, established in February 2007, is a unique, self-organizing scientific collaboration involving leading researchers representing the fields of immunology and beta-cell biology, the two key disciplines related to the cause and probable cure for type 1 diabetes.
Most funding for basic research typically comes from government and foundation grants. While the grant evaluation processes of those institutions is governed by the best of intentions to keep risk to a minimum, it usually involves time-consuming procedures and administrative constraints. As a result it is highly risk averse by nature. The Brehm Coalition concept accelerates this process with minimal paperwork through private funding that is intended to be catalytic to research activity and augmented by public funding. Specifically, this innovative approach does not limit the scientists from seeking federal or foundation support for their joint efforts under conventional procedures. Yet it gives these outstanding Coalition scientists complete freedom to develop their own research plans and procedures, as they themselves measure the risk and potential benefits. They thus have great flexibility to change course quickly, to expand their work to colleagues, and to sponsor side studies of promising ideas that develop spontaneously at the bench.
History
Dee and Bill Brehm, staunch supporters of diabetes research and the creators of the Brehm Coalition, have known first hand the difficulties of managing type 1 diabetes. Dee, diagnosed at the age of 19, lived with the disease for over 60 years.
Today, Bill’s personal mission is to advance discovery and strengthen diabetes research through nontraditional methods. Bill was convinced that creating partnerships between scientists from opposite sides of the globe was the answer. He knew this type of collaboration, rarely tried in the medical research community, would greatly accelerate the current pace of discovery through a high level of rapid data sharing and a focused mission around the pathogenesis of diabetes. He believed technology would allow a level of collaboration and sense of community that was not possible years ago.
In 2007 the dream became a reality with the creation of the Brehm Coalition. Through an established partnership between the Brehms and the University of Michigan, the plan was put into place. With the help of Dr. Peter Arvan, of the U-M Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes Division and Dr. Mark Atkinson, Professor of Medicine, Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine Division at the University of Florida, the group of world-renowned scientists specializing in immunology were selected. With the chosen list, Dee and Bill set out to meet each of the five individuals at their institutions to learn more about their research and interest in joining the collaboration.
It took no time for the scientists to agree on becoming members. With all on board, the members officially met and discussed their plan of action on February 2, 2007 at the University of Michigan. The meeting led to an agreement between the scientists on their mission and future steps in finding a cure.
