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Genetics - Previously Funded

Dr. Marko E. Horb (Operating Grant funded 2009-2012)

Institute de Recherches Cliniques de Montreal (Montréal, QC)

Title: Functional analysis of a new neonatal diabetes candidate in gene in pancreas development

Dr. Marko Horb is studying neonatal diabetes, a form of diabetes which affects children in their first year of life. The disease is severe and most neonates die within their first year of life despite receiving medical assistance. Dr. Horb's research may help us determine what goes wrong in neonatal diabetes and assist in the development of more effective treatments.

 

Dr. Andrea R. Josse (Postdoctoral Fellowship Award funded 2011-2012)

University of Toronto (Toronto, ON)

Supervisor: El-Sohemy, Ahmed, Dr.

Title: Genetic variation in carbohydrate digestion, its effects on consumption and the risk of Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes represents a significant global health problem, and diet plays an important role in its development. Evidence has linked increased consumption of dietary available carbohydrates to type 2 diabetes, yet this relationship still remains controversial. It is known that inter-individual variation exists in certain genes that encode for enzymes that break down carbohydrates. These slight differences may influence habitual carbohydrate consumption and blood glucose levels. Dr. Josse is investigating several important genes that directly affect carbohydrate digestion, absorption and habitual carbohydrate consumption, and whether they relate to fasting blood glucose levels in a multiethnic population of young adults living in Toronto. This research will help us understand the role that available carbohydrates play in the development of type 2 diabetes. Also, given the ethnic diversity of the Canadian population, these results could have an important impact on public health strategies aimed at treating and preventing type 2 diabetes.

 

Currently Funded