As part of World Diabetes Day, the inIdEx DiabetEX project held two local outreach events in Paris on November 13 and 14, 2026. These events aimed to discuss different forms of diabetes, their prevention, and research advancements. Concurrently, a comic book titled 'Mission Bêta' was launched to popularize the work of laboratories among the general public.
The DiabetEX project, coordinated by Nicolas Venteclef and funded by Université Paris Cité, brings together about twenty research teams, patient associations, and international partners. Its objective is to deepen the understanding of diabetes to improve diagnosis and identify new therapeutic targets.
The events, co-developed with the scientific mediation of the Faculty of Health, took place at the Belleville Social and Cultural Center (19th arrondissement) and the Necker-Falguières Social Living Space (15th arrondissement).
In Belleville, on November 13, a workshop on the sugar content of foods, led by Aurore Basiuk (Faculty of Health) and Nafissa Mahamoud (iWISH Women's Health Institute), was offered to seniors. A presentation of Nutri-Score by Cédric Agaësse (CRESS) complemented the workshop. Discussions with diabetologist and researcher Jean-Baptiste Julla (Institut Necker Enfants Malades) addressed participants' questions on diet, screening, and daily life with diabetes.
On November 14, at Necker-Falguières, an audience of all ages participated in a workshop and quiz led by Aurore Basiuk. They also engaged in dialogue with Louis Potier (Bichât Claude Bernard Hospital, Institut Necker Enfants Malades) and Nicolas Venteclef. Discussions covered type 1 and type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, genetic predispositions, screening, and follow-up, as well as research on the links between diabetes and inflammation.
The comic book 'Mission Bêta', written and illustrated by Tin Hinan Lassouani and Widad Nefida (Institut Cochin), aims to make diabetes research accessible, particularly to adolescents. It complements DiabetEX's mediation tools, such as a brochure and a game booklet.
These initiatives aim to share research findings and foster dialogue between scientists and the public.
