Researchers identify the genes that increase the risk of Type 1 diabetes
Although it is known that Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body's immune system kills insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, researchers were not aware of the exact genes that cause the disease. A research group has now identified the location and identities of the genes that increase the risk of Type 1 diabetes. The group collected information about the genetic makeup of 27,000 individuals, including those who suffered from the disease and those who did not. Using a technique known as fine mapping, the researchers were able to narrow down about five disease-causing DNA variations from 200,000 possible locations in the genome. These findings are significant as they provide the most detailed directions about the location of genetic variations that cause Type 1 diabetes and perhaps other autoimmune diseases such as arthritis. Diabetes researchers can use these findings to focus on how genetic changes alter immune cell activity.
Read more in Science Daily.
Published on: Mar 10, 2015
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