Open Funding

Institution:

University of Bristol

Recipient:

Dr Mimi Chen

Project:

Insulin resistance

Summary:

The mechanism by which an increase in weight causes insulin resistance is not known. When insulin binds to a cell, it produces a variety of proteins which help to activate a channel through which glucose enters the cell. In insulin resistance, binding of insulin does not cause glucose to enter the cell. Using a combination of sophisticated insulin infusions and a unique array of biochemical markers developed in Bristol, the research team aims to develop a technique capable of studying how insulin produces these proteins in the human body. This technique will then be used to study the changes in these proteins that occur when dramatic weight loss reduces insulin resistance. It is hoped the understanding of the proteins which link weight gain to insulin resistance gained using will lead to the development of new approaches to prevent the rising tide of Type 2 diabetes.

Amount:

£29,988