Precision Health Approaches to Optimize Type 2 Diabetes Prevention

Type 2 diabetes has complex etiology that varies between individuals and groups and results from interactions between genetic and behavioral factors. The overall goals of our research are to identify mechanisms underlying inter-individual variability in the etiology and responses to treatment in individuals with type 2 diabetes and to identify novel biomarkers to optimize individual risk reduction strategies. We are particularly focused on individuals who are at greatest risk based on race and ethnic identity and other individual characteristics.

Our current studies are leveraging existing clinical trial data from the Diabetes Prevention Program and the Practicing Restorative Yoga for the Metabolic Syndrome trials. There are two main goals of this work. The first is to explore individual and clusters of microRNAs that predict development of type 2 diabetes and responses to behavioral and pharmacologic interventions. The second is the determine how changes in microRNAs relate to changes in clinical risk factors for type 2 diabetes over time.

Based on discoveries about microRNAs related to risk for type 2 diabetes, we are also performing integrated analysis of microRNAs and their mRNA targets, metabolite products, and related biological pathways. We have identified microRNAs with established roles as mediators of insulin, glucose, and lipoprotein metabolism, inflammation/immune function, and novel hits related to neurodegenerative conditions and protein misfolding.