The interaction of polygenic and monogenic diabetes to unravel new biology and diabetes subtypes

Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) is a rare genetic form of diabetes. Identifying MODY is important for the correct treatment. We are now doing more genetic testing than ever before. This has led to two new problems: 1) We are now finding people with defective MODY genes but without diabetes and 2) we are finding people who are 'MODY-like' but without defective MODY genes. During this fellowship, I will aim to study these two problems in detail. I will develop ways to accurately predict if and when people with defective MODY genes will get diabetes. I will also aim to identify a reason for this MODY-like diabetes and whether it can be treated differently to common forms of diabetes. My work therefore has important implications for individuals with MODY, for the wider diabetes community and is relevant to other genetic disorders.