The aim was to induce beta cell rest and investigate whether the drug azithromycin, administered three times per week, extra dietician advice and support, in addition to repeated intensive insulin therapy by initially 72-hour i.v. and insulin pulses at seven occasions every 6–8 hours s.c. could help preserving insulin secretion in children who have recently been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The gene discussed is INS; the disease is type 1 diabetes mellitus.