Author: Tom H

Did you know that November 14 is World Diabetes Day? It is marked every year on the day of Sir Frederick Banting’s birthday, who co-discovered insulin with Charles Best over 100 years ago. World Diabetes Day is a day to raise awareness of diabetes and increase the access of diabetic education to help improve the lives of millions around the world. Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic, autoimmune disease that destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Insulin is a hormone responsible for maintaining appropriate blood sugars, so without it, individuals with T1D rely on insulin injections to live. But, it’s important to remember that insulin is not a cure. 

Here are three facts about T1D: 

1. 42 different things impact your blood sugar ranging from food and exercise, to stress and hormones.  
2. People of all ages can develop T1D.
3. T1D is a disease that requires 24/7 management.

Ever since Frederick Banting and Charles Best discovered insulin in 1922, T1D patients around the world now have the ability to live longer, healthier lives. However, the battle against T1D is not over, as there is so much preventative and therapeutic research going on, including research in our own lab! On World Diabetes Day (November 14th), wear blue to show your support for the 9 million people affected by T1D. #typeonetotypenone

The HOME T1D team attended the JDRF Sun Life Walk to Cure Diabetes Walk on September 24th in Hamilton. It was inspiring to see over 380 participants out to support T1D research that is improving thousands of lives in Canada. #typeonetotypenone !

The Hawke Lab attended the Ontario Exercise Physiology Conference held July 25-27 in Kingston, Ontario. Well done to all of the Hawke Lab members for all of their hard work and wonderful presentations!

It was lovely to see the amazing work produced by the students & exercise physiology trainees of Ontario!

Thank-you to Queen’s University and York University for hosting this year’s event.

We look forward to seeing everyone at OEP 2024!

The Hawke Lab has been badly affected by the current pandemic. Greatly limiting our ability to undertake analysis within the lab and recruit people for our studies that were halted when the pandemic began. While this is not unique to our lab, it nonetheless has a significant impact on our ability to train people within the lab and maintain our high level of productivity. On the bright side, we have a number of studies which required mostly time to complete and have made great strides in data analysis, writing and submission of these studies.

During these tough times, be kind to yourself and others. We could all use a little more of that right now.

Welcome to the new and improved Hawke Lab for Muscle Health Research website!  We need and acronym or something.  That tag line is just a mouthful! HLMHR? no…MHR? no… Will definitely have to sleep on it!

We are excited to provide more detailed information about our studies, about the scientists who are undertaking the studies and, importantly, translating our lab findings into something meaningful for the people who need and want it.  We welcome your feedback about the website and its usefulness.

Click on the menu and associated links to explore the things we do!