The scientific meeting “100 Years of Insulin” was held at the Department of Internal Medicine and Oncology of Semmelweis University. The presentations aimed to give an insight into the scientific work of Semmelweis University from the beginnings up to the present day including the direction of research in the future. The event was opened by dr. István Takács, professor, Head of the Department of Internal Medicine and Oncology, dr. Béla Merkely, Rector and dr. Péter Kempler, professor, President of the Hungarian Diabetes Association, Head of the Diabetology Workgroup.
“Diabetology has a history of 100 years at Semmelweis University and this event is a great opportunity to reflect on the past, talk about the present and look forward to the future”
– said dr. Takács, Director in his opening speech. The scientific meeting “100 Years of Insulin” at Semmelweis University featured presentations about the scientific work of the department in three sessions.
In his opening speech Dr. Béla Merkely emphasized that Semmelweis University’s 250 years of history is closely intertwined with that of the Department of Internal Medicine situated at Sándor Korány street.
“This department is the birthplace of Hungarian diabetology, the first ever dose of insulin was administered here. The institute is considered the cornerstone and flagship of Hungarian diabetology”
– pointed out dr. Béla Merkely, Rector. He added that in the field of Endocrinology and Metabolism of the “US News Best Global Universities 2021” the department was ranked 155th, not far from Semmelweis University’s ultimate goal to be ranked among the top 100 higher education institutions in the world.
Dr. Péter Kempler gave a presentation on the history of the Hungarian Diabetes Association from 1970 until present days. He mentioned that the European Diabetes Association (EASD) has held its annual meetings in Hungary twice, in 1982 and in 2002. Furthermore, the Department of Internal Medicine and Oncology has been actively participating in numerous scientific events of EASD. Dr. Péter Kempler also introduced some of the most important projects, events and results of the Hungarian Diabetes Association. The HDA has recently concluded two significant cooperation agreements with the government. One of these enables the prescription of medical appliances and equipment for patients online. In conclusion he presented the latest scientific study of HDA, which examined the prevalence, incidence, complications and costs of diabetes through database analysis.
Following dr. Kempler’s presentation, the section “Diabetology’s past at the department” was opened by the lecture of Professor László Korányi on the administration of the first dose of insulin that was presented by Dr. István Takács. Dr. László Gerő (professor emeritus of the Department of Internal Medicine and Oncology) held his presentation about “Diabetologists at Korányi School. Memories of Imre Magyar and Tamás Gyula”. Dr. Zsuzsa Kerényi, head physician talked about the history of diabetes treatment through her personal experience.
The section “Diabetology’s present at the department” featured the following presentations: Péter Kempler talked about the past, present and future of nephropathy; Dr. Ádám Tabák (research professor of the Department of Internal Medicine and Oncology) emphasized the role of H1A1c in type 2 diabetes; dr. Győző Kocsis held a presentation entitled “Paradigm shift in blood glucose monitoring: ‘Small sensors’ – a new perspective in the treatment of diabetes”. Dr. Zsuzsanna Putz presented the genetic background of diabetes and its complications.
The scientific meeting ended with the closing section “Diabetology’s future at the department”. Dr. Erica Nishimura (scientific vice president of the Novo Nordisk Diabetes Copenhagen) talked about the perspectives in diabetology, dr. Imre Pávó (doctor of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, member of the Eli Lilly Biological Laboratories, head of the Lilly Regional Center in Vienna) gave a talk about the future of incretin-based therapies. The last program on the schedule gave an opportunity to dr. Anna Körei, dr. Márk Svébis, dr. Orsolya Vági and dr. Tamás Jávorfi, the young diabetologists of the department to introduce themselves.
Ádám Szabó
Photo: Attila Kovács – Semmelweis University
Translation: Norbert Lukács
