Proteome Sciences is studying the proteomics of the inter-related metabolic diseases of type II diabetes and obesity. Type II diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) accounts for over 90% of diabetes cases, whilst obesity is the most common nutritional disorder in the Western World. The World Health Organisation predicts that by 2025 the number of people affected by diabetes will double from the current level, to 300 million.

Predisposition, onset and progression of type II diabetes are poorly understood and there are currently no reliable early diagnostic tests. It is widely accepted that early detection would allow patients to better adapt their lifestyle and diet leading to improved long-term prognosis and fewer, less severe, side-effects associated with type II diabetes.

Our ongoing programmes in collaboration with the University of Buckingham and University of Geneva have identified differentially expressed proteins to better understand the underlying mechanism of these debilitating diseases. These proteins may act as markers for insulin resistance and/or ß-cell dysfunction, and as novel targets for therapy.

Partnering

Proteome Sciences is looking for strategic alliances to accelerate its diabetes and obesity programmes and in particular, to address many of the areas of unmet need in metabolic disorders, which in turn are the leading precursors to a range of major debilitating diseases.