Fundraising for Type 1 Diabetes Research – “Making a Dent in Diabetes”
Who are we? We are high school students fundraising for type 1 diabetes research! All of the funds will go towards a type 1 diabetes research conducted by scientists.
Donation
Make checks payable to: miRcore
mail to the address: miRcore 2929 Plymouth Road
Suite 207 Ann Arbor, MI
48105
Genes in Diseases and Symptoms (GIDAS) is a high school club network. The members at Community High School are Adrian S., Amaris S., Anurima K., Christina C., and Marianne C. We are an outreach of miRcore, a research and microgrants organization. As the CHS club, we are focusing on type 1 diabetes.
What is our Goal?
DKD Project: Toward Non-Invasive Prognosis of Type 1 Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD)
Description:
A study of white blood cell gene expression and DKD progression. The goal is to identify biomarkers that can be used to predict the progression in patients to improve treatment and help future studies.
Method:
In order to identify biomarkers to predict the progression of Type 1 Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD), we profiled the transcriptome (the set of RNA molecules produced) of leukocytes from 33 type 1 diabetic patients at the time of their enrollment in the study. Patients were followed for a minimum of five years and data were collected including information about the progression of DKD. We will identify genes that correlate to various outcomes with a focus on the decline of kidney function. To validate the expression, we will use a quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR,) a laboratory method that is used to quantify RNA. Validated genes will be further studied in the future with more patients.
Hypothesis
: White blood cells in the bloodstream and kidney tissue have similarly altered gene networks and signaling pathways during DKD caused by type 1 diabetes. Data collected on white blood cells can be used as novel markers to predict the progression of type 1 DKD.
Potential impact in terms of the disease:
DKD develops in about 30% of the patients with diabetes mellitus. Testing for albumin, a protein, in urine has been the primary predictor of risk for DKD although this process has poor sensitivity and specificity. We would like to use the novel markers we will identify for the following two purposes:
1 Determine an individual’s risk of disease progression and assign proper monitoring and treatment accordingly. This will ultimately improve the patient’s health, and reduce healthcare costs.
2 Classify patient populations for clinical studies. The markers may also be potential targets for future research and development of new treatments and therapeutics.