The Role of IL-1 in Type 1 Diabetes

Project Description Narrative:

This project aims to advance understanding of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), which accounts for approximately 10% of all diabetes. T1DM is typically diagnosed during childhood and results in life-long dependency on daily insulin injection. Due to an annual 2% increase in well-documented incidence rates, it can be estimated that T1DM will affect 1% of the population. Children with this disease contend with diminished overall quality of life, numerous life-threatening complications, and a shortened life expectancy.

The researchers will apply a novel genomics approach to a rat diabetes model as well as to human diabetic subjects and at-risk siblings. Their objective is to identify common inflammatory pathways present in both species at and before onset.