Professor Bone said current research is offering hope to patients but more support is vital to find the crucial breakthrough and to support sufferers.
He is backing a charity football match next month, organised by the family of local teenager Izzi Hickmott and her boyfriend, 17-year-old footballer Jake Rudwick, who have already raised thousands of pounds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) which funds much of Professor Bone's research.
Jake said, "I wanted to do something to support my girlfriend as I know how hard having Type 1 diabetes is for her."
Izzi said: "Living with Type 1 diabetes is a constant struggle as you never get a day off worrying, calculating insulin doses and testing. I know I will have to do this for the rest of my life. I just hope that in my lifetime there will be a cure so that I can get back to living the sort of life most people take for granted."
Jake and Izzi's family have organised a match between Hove Park Rangers and Sussex Coast FC at the Withdean Sports Complex in Brighton on 18 May, kick off 1.30pm. Entry costs £3/£1.50 and there is a raffle.