At Lund University, diabetes researchers have discovered that it is possible to categorise type 1 and type 2 diabetes into five distinct subgroups. This important discovery could lead to more individualised treatments of the disease. The researchers have also identified genetic differences between the four groups of type 2 diabetes, indicating different underlying causes to the disease.

The researchers aim is to use this genetic and clinical data to develop treatments that are tailored to each patient. The discovery is a significant step forward that can lead to improvements for people living with diabetes.

Epigenetics and genetics help illustrate how diabetes care can be individualised – ludc.lu.se

Researchers around the world strive to understand why some people develop type 1 diabetes and others do not. At Lund University, diabetes researchers are continuously studying various diabetes-related autoantibodies in children with a high risk of developing type 1 diabetes.

This research has led to the approval of these autoantibodies as a biomarker for the disease. This approval means that individuals who have at least two diabetes-related autoantibodies can participate in clinical studies designed to prevent the disease.

Blood testing in children leads to better understanding of type 1 diabetes

Several research groups at Lund University are working together to study the mechanisms behind diabetes. An important resource for diabetes research is a sample collection of insulin-producing cells and tissues from the liver, muscles and fat of people both with and without diabetes. Researchers study the cells to understand what happens to insulin secretion in diabetes. This knowledge could lead to new treatments that improve insulin secretion in people with diabetes.

The researchers also have access to a biobank containing plaque samples from people with atherosclerosis, a common complication of diabetes known to trigger heart attacks and strokes. The researchers' studies of the mechanisms behind atherosclerosis could be instrumental in developing new treatments that target dangerous plaques.

Diabetes can lead to complications such as stroke, heart attack and kidney disease. Researchers are studying various aspects, including epigenetic differences between various groups of people with type 2 diabetes, to try to predict the risk of these complications at an early stage.

Researchers are also examining the underlying mechanisms behind plaque rupture in atherosclerosis, a common complication of diabetes. The aim is to develop treatments that can prevent plaque rupture.