Diabetes subclassifications - new genes and novel mechanisms

In 2018 we suggested a new subclassification of diabetes, including five subtypes with differing progression and risk of diabetic complications. In this project we will further characterize these subtypes. We will perform genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of each subtype to identify unique associations, indicating differences in the underlying mechanisms.

We will compare response to treatment and do GWAS to identify genetic variation that affects response to diabetes medication. We will also conduct GWAS of diabetic complications to identify genetic associations that might have been hidden by differences in pathogenesis. In addition, we will compare metabolomics, lipidomics and proteomics profiles for the subtypes to gain insight into differences in underlying mechanisms and possibly identify subtype specific biomarkers. Further, we will use prediabetic prospective cohorts to identify risk factors and characteristics prior to diabetes onset. Finally, we will use the findings to improve the classification method to allow classification of patients at different disease stages and test if we can identify individuals at risk already in the prediabetic cohorts. This project could improve both research studies and clinical trials and enable personalized medicine. Optimized treatment for each patient and focus of clinical resources to the patients most likely to develop diabetic complications will both improve patient health and reduce health care costs.