An international team of scientists from UK, Europe, USA and Canada, led by researchers at Oxford University is closer to building a DNA profile of people who are at risk from diabetes. Their study offered new diabetes information that could help to identify the suspects and could lead to new treatments that target the genetic problems.

The scientists identified twelve new genes linked to the most common form of diabetes. They tend to be involved in the working of pancreatic cells which produce and control the hormone insulin and the regulation of cell growth and division. The signals they have identified provide important clues to the biological basis of type 2 diabetes, which alters levels of insulin and the body’s response to the vital blood sugar-regulating hormone.

There are around 2.5 million people in Great Britain with diabetes and an estimated 180 million people worldwide. This study is the largest investigation of the impact of genes on diabetes risk yet carried out and the researchers compared the DNA of around 8,000 people having type 2 diabetes with other 40,000 persons without the condition. They will continue to process this diabetes information to manage it successfully. Type 2 diabetes is strongly linked to poor diet, lack of exercise and being overweight.

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