Researchers use genomics to identify diabetic retinopathy factors

[Northerner]

In a search to discover the genetic factors underlying diabetic retinopathy, University of Illinois Chicago researchers also have identified a new approach that can be used as a template to study other diseases.

In the paper, "Integration of genomics and transcriptomics predicts diabetic retinopathy susceptibility genes," published in eLife, researchers identified genes that respond differently in response to high glucose in individuals with and without diabetic retinopathy.

Dr. Michael Grassi, associate professor of ophthalmology at UIC's College of Medicine, his collaborator, Dr. Barbara Stranger of Northwestern University, and their teams set out to identify genes that cause diabetic retinopathy, a diabetes complication caused by damage to the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye -- the retina -- resulting in vision loss.

Researchers use genomics to identify diabetic retinopathy factors

Researchers have identified genes that respond differently in response to high glucose in individuals with and without diabetic retinopathy.

www.sciencedaily.com

 

[mikeyB]

There must be a genetic factor, neither my late mother nor I have ever had any signs of eye problems despite longstanding Type 1. I’ve had cataracts removed, but that runs in the family, nothing to do with diabetes. My older brother had cataracts removed at the same age, and he hasn’t got diabetes.

 

[trophywench]

Well yeah - but has anyone ever tried to get referred for genetic testing for anything? I know I enquired about it to do with breast cancer what with my mother having ovarian cancer in her 70s, my sis dying from metastased breast cancer and pa from ditto bladder cancer, GP agreed it was worth referring me, but they declined.

I'm not sure how many generations of a family are required to die of something before they test someone, but if we have to wait for that to get a test to find out if we might perchance go blind, that's a bit of a long wait to be of any practical use!