Molecular and Diabetology Nephrology
Type-2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a rapidly growing but poorly understood health problem. By 2025, it is estimated that up to 25% of the entire NHS budget will be committed to treating it. T2DM patients are prone to many micro- and macro-vascular co-morbidities including nephropathy, retinopathy and neuropathy but cardiovascular disease accounts for more than 80% of diabetes-related mortality.
The aetiology of the disease and its complications are complex, with a strong environmental component and an equally important genetic component originating at many different loci, many of which remain uncharacterised. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is also a major health issue in the UK and developed world, with up to 10% of adult patients being affected. CKD is a major risk factor for;cardiovascular mortality, and patients with diabetic CKD are at greatest risk.
Research into these two areas within Genomics is based in Salford Royal Hospital, taking full advantage of the electronic health record system in place between Primary Care and Salford Royal, and the existing expertise in vascular disease, diabetes and CKD epidemiology.
A wide range of clinical, genetic and epidemiological projects are underway through the collaborations established by researchers in Salford Royal Hospital, Centre for Integrated Genomic Medical Research (CIGMR) and the Northwest Institute for BioHealth Informatics (NIBHI).