Dr. Donath has contributed to our understanding of the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes, notably by identifying an inflammatory process underlying the failure of insulin production in this disease. He validated this hypothesis through the first clinical trial demonstrating that modulating the immune system can improve metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes. His work thus contributed to the emergence of the concept of immunometabolism, according to which the innate immune system plays a central role in regulating metabolism.