Genetic Research and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is a complex metabolic disease with a dysregulated glucose homeostasis. This disease is caused by both environmental and genetic factors. Current treatments aim at relieving the symptoms and slowing down the disease progression, rather than the actual etiology of the disease. Therefore, it is necessary to develop therapeutic strategies that modify the course of the disease and target at the pathophysiology of T2DM. Recent advances in genotyping techniques allow the identifications of more and more genetically related therapeutic targets. In the future, with further research, these targets are believed to contribute to the earlier diagnosis and improved disease managements. It is important to realize that a personalized life-style managements and genetic therapies should be applied to T2DM patients simultaneously and the future T2DM treatments are believed to be no longer a single option, but will tackle several aspects of this disease at the same time.