Funded Research

In patients with Type 1 diabetes, the persons own immune system has become confused and mistakenly recognised the insulin producing cells as being "foreign", just like a bacteria or virus and destroyed them. The consequence is that the pancreatic cells producing insulin are destroyed and the patient requires insulin injections, usually for the rest of their lives. The reasons for this are not known although as the condition tends to cluster in families this suggests in part a hereditary component. Some of the genes contributing to type 1 diabetes have been indentified including those involved in the HLA system (best known for organ transplant compatability), the insulin gene itself and also a gene called CTLA4 which acts as a major regulator of the immune system. Clearly anything that causes differences in how these genes work, could make someone more or less likely to develop diabetes. In a series of related studies conducted over the last 3 years, Joanne Collins working towards a PhD, has investigated a number of genes that could also be involved in type 1 diabetes. Some of these have been shown not to play a role at all although at least one new gene, called LYP, which also helps control the immune system has been shown to contribute to diabetes in some people. The results of studies such as those performed by Joanne may unltimately lead to a better understanding of the factors causing conditions such as diabetes and hopefully lead the the development of new treatments that may also help prevent type 1 diabetes.