The genomic contribution to diabetes, by Katharine Hartley, PHG Foundation Briefing, January 2014

www.phgfoundation.org/file/15592/

The genomic contribution to diabetes, by Katharine Hartley, PHG Foundation Briefing, January 2014



The genomic

contribution to

diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a major public health concern estimated

to affect over 7% of the population in England 1. Risk

factors related to lifestyle - e.g. obesity and lack of exercise

- are well documented and are the focus for public health

interventions.

However, results from twin studies have established a genetic basis for

susceptibility to diabetes, although the genetic markers remained elusive until

recently. With the new ability to rapidly sequence DNA and conduct genome

wide association studies (GWAS) – the genetic contributors to the development

and progression of diabetes are now being revealed. Below we assess the

consequences for preventing, diagnosing and managing diabetes based on the

latest knowledge of the genomic contribution to the disease.