Recognition for young UK research scientist

A scientist at the cutting edge of diabetes research has been recognised at the Annual Reception at Parliament for Britain's younger researchers. Dr Sangeeta Tanna, a lecturer from the Leicester School of Pharmacy, De Montfort University, was one of four runners up from among more than 200 top young scientists competing for the 2003 Westminster Medal.

The scientists each presented a poster displaying their research and were judged on the quality of their work and ability to defend their findings, together with their ability to explain their research effectively to non-scientists. Dr Tanna is researching the pioneering chemical pancreas - a novel system that would mimic the way a normal pancreas works by delivering insulin in response to blood glucose without sufferers having to inject themselves.

It would respond to the blood glucose level in a feedback loop and incorporates a mechanism that would allow an implanted supply of insulin to escape through a barrier membrane made from a glucose-sensitive gel. This would let insulin through when blood glucose levels rise and then close off again as glucose levels drop.

Dr Tanna said: 'The research is at an important stage now that we are aiming to commercialise it - so this is a tremendous boost.'