Massive sequencing study links rare DNA alterations to type 2 diabetes

Science Daily 5/22/19

An international consortium of scientists has analyzed protein-coding genes from nearly 46,000 people, linking rare DNA alterations to type 2 diabetes. From this large cohort the researchers identified four genes with rare variants that affect diabetes risk. The data suggests that hundreds more genes will likely be identified in the future.

From this large cohort — roughly 21,000 individuals with type 2 diabetes and 25,000 healthy controls — the researchers identified four genes with rare variants that affect diabetes risk. The data suggests that hundreds more genes will likely be identified in the future.

These genes and the proteins they encode are potential targets for new medicines, and may guide researchers to better understand and treat disease.

All of the team’s results are publicly available online through the Type 2 Diabetes Knowledge Portal (www.type2diabetesgenetics.org), enabling scientists around the world to access and use the information for their own research.

To read more about this research, click on the title link.