This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/6596655.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Study uncovers new diabetes genes Study uncovers new diabetes genes
(1 day later)
Scientists have been able to identify three new genes which they say will bring them closer to understanding the causes of diabetes.Scientists have been able to identify three new genes which they say will bring them closer to understanding the causes of diabetes.
The discovery follows patient data gathered in Tayside and Fife by researchers from Dundee University.The discovery follows patient data gathered in Tayside and Fife by researchers from Dundee University.
Scientists from Oxford and Exeter have been working on the study.Scientists from Oxford and Exeter have been working on the study.
The three new genes that predispose people to develop Type 2 diabetes brings the total number of genes involved to nine.The three new genes that predispose people to develop Type 2 diabetes brings the total number of genes involved to nine.
The study was led jointly by researchers at the University of Oxford and the Peninsula Medical School in Exeter and forms part of the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium2. The study was led jointly by researchers at the University of Oxford and the Peninsula Medical School in Exeter and forms part of the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium.
The information we have gathered here in Dundee is among the most detailed held anywhere in the world and is playing a key role in developments like this Professor Andrew Morris, University of DundeeThe information we have gathered here in Dundee is among the most detailed held anywhere in the world and is playing a key role in developments like this Professor Andrew Morris, University of Dundee
The findings were published online on Thursday in the journal, Science3. The findings were published online on Thursday in the journal, Science.
About 200 million people worldwide have Type 2 diabetes, which results in the body failing to produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels.About 200 million people worldwide have Type 2 diabetes, which results in the body failing to produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels.
For each of the three new genes that have been discovered, researchers found there are two common "versions", one of which is associated with an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and the other with reduced risk.For each of the three new genes that have been discovered, researchers found there are two common "versions", one of which is associated with an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and the other with reduced risk.
Each high risk version increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes by between 10% and 20%. All the genes are common in the general population.Each high risk version increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes by between 10% and 20%. All the genes are common in the general population.
Professor Andrew Hattersley, of the Peninsula Medical School, said: "We now have significantly more pieces to the jigsaw that will help us understand the mechanisms behind Type 2 diabetes.Professor Andrew Hattersley, of the Peninsula Medical School, said: "We now have significantly more pieces to the jigsaw that will help us understand the mechanisms behind Type 2 diabetes.
'Real progress''Real progress'
"Each piece of new knowledge takes us a step closer towards a future with improved prevention and treatment of this very significant condition.""Each piece of new knowledge takes us a step closer towards a future with improved prevention and treatment of this very significant condition."
The initial findings of the study were confirmed by studying a further 9,000 samples from the UK, the majority of them from the Dundee area collected by researchers from the University of Dundee Medical School.The initial findings of the study were confirmed by studying a further 9,000 samples from the UK, the majority of them from the Dundee area collected by researchers from the University of Dundee Medical School.
Professor Andrew Morris, chair of Diabetic Medicine at the university, said: "The information we have gathered here in Dundee from the local population in Tayside and Fife is among the most detailed held anywhere in the world and is playing a key role in developments like this."Professor Andrew Morris, chair of Diabetic Medicine at the university, said: "The information we have gathered here in Dundee from the local population in Tayside and Fife is among the most detailed held anywhere in the world and is playing a key role in developments like this."
Diabetes UK welcomed the findings and said it was "real progress" towards preventing and treating Type 2 diabetes.Diabetes UK welcomed the findings and said it was "real progress" towards preventing and treating Type 2 diabetes.