Published in:
01-11-2010
Type 2 Diabetes and Genetics, 2010: Translating Knowledge into Understanding
Authors:
Geoffrey A. Walford, Jose C. Florez
Published in:
Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports
|
Issue 6/2010
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Abstract
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is epidemic, but much has been learned about its molecular etiology in recent years. In this review, we present the substantial evidence for the contribution of genetic variation to the development of T2D that has accumulated over the past decade, emphasizing the respective contribution of candidate gene, linkage analysis, and genome-wide association approaches. We then discuss how this emerging knowledge is informing and reshaping the understanding of T2D biology and how, in the near term, genetics may be used clinically to identify individuals who are at risk of disease or who may derive benefit from specific treatment modalities. In the final section, we address common questions posed to T2D geneticists and highlight the future approaches that will continue to improve our understanding of T2D genetics.