Translational Diabetes Research

Our research

Our translational research strategy integrates multiple complementary research fields and innovative technologies to address key questions in the fields of integrative physiology, for example ex vivo multi-omics, muscle and adipose tissue biology, genetics, epigenetics, epidemiology, register research, and clinical trials.

Our team and collaborators take advantage of unique Danish and Swedish cohorts and registries to perform state-of-the-art deep phenotyping of distinct subgroups with type 2 diabetes or at risk of developing the disease.

In 1997, we discovered that low birth weight in twins is associated with type 2 diabetes in a non-genetic manner. Our research has since then focused on developing a better understanding of the role and mechanisms through which an adverse intrauterine environment increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, as well as of associated diseases and complications. We are also investigating how diabetes in pregnant mothers affects the offspring.

Aims

• To understand the etiological causes and molecular mechanisms underlying the development of type 2 diabetes with a special emphasis of the role of the fetal environment. 
• To apply our novel insights of the etiological causes and molecular mechanisms underlying the development of type 2 diabetes to improve and implement precision medicine prediction, prevention, and treatment of type 2 diabetes and its complications.

Impact

About 600,000 Swedish citizens are living with diabetes today. Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 85-90 percent of all diabetes in Sweden. The disease is associated with severe complications, co-morbidities, and excess mortality, which is why there is an urgent need for better prevention, treatment, and care of type 2 diabetes patients. 

Recent data from our group provided compelling evidence that low birthweight in patients with overt type 2 diabetes is associated with a more severe disease course, including earlier onset and increased risk of cardiovascular disease, compared with patients with normal or high birthweight. These data suggest that birthweight should guide future type 2 diabetes clustering, care, and treatment.

Research output

Link to a list of research output by the group in Lund University’s research portal

Team members

Link to a list of team members in Lund University’s research portal