Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, yet the molecular mechanisms linking genetic risk to disease remain poorly understood. This project investigates how genetic risk factors for T2D influence gene regulation and activity in pancreatic β-cells.

Approach

Using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from individuals with high and low genetic risk scores, we differentiate these into pancreatic β-cells and study how genetic background shapes gene regulatory networks. We apply single-cell multiomics approaches to map gene activity at high resolution.

Goals

• Identify key genetic regulators that contribute to T2D risk
• Map gene regulatory networks in pancreatic β-cells at single-cell resolution
• Generate insights that could lead to personalized medicine approaches for T2D patients

Funding

This project has been funded by a Diabetes Fonds Junior Fellowship