Grant: Operating Grant - PA: INMD Start-up Funds (Clinicians and New Investigators)

Over 7% of the Canadian population has been diagnosed with diabetes, with the number increasing to 25% if one includes those with pre-diabetes. Diabetes leads to high levels of sugar in the blood and has many negative effects on the body such as blindness, stroke, kidney and heart problems. Diabetes is caused by a general decline in the ability of cells in our pancreas to produce insulin, the hormone that lowers blood sugar. We do not yet understand why these cells fail, but we know that it is likely a combination of poor lifestyle choices (bad diet, little exercise) and genetics. We and others have shown that a protein inside these insulin-producing cells called Pgc-1 helps to control insulin release and is often decreased in diabetic patients. Our research goal is to determine how this protein controls the general health, survival, and function of these important cells and what happens to the cells when Pgc-1 levels are changed (e.g. because of our genes and/or environment). Our work will help to understand whether Pgc-1 plays a significant role in the early stages of diabetes, and with this knowledge, we may be able to design better drugs and find new ways to predict risk and/or severity of disease in patients.