Grants 2006
The primary principle of partitioning the grants was that the researches display a high scientific level. There was also an aspiration to equally support research regarding type 1 and type 2 diabetes on a clinical as well as on a basic level. The grants were also meant to be partitioned among several different research groups.
There were a total of 60 grant applications, and the sought amount came to a total of 1 680 000 euros.
In Helsinki, on Thursday 18th of May, The Diabetes Research Foundation partitioned the grants of their 30th anniversary for Finnish diabetes research. In honor of the anniversary, the amount of funds partitioned as grants was the greatest ever – 300 000 euros.
The Foundation also wished to partition the grants between as many researchers as possible. Out of the total amount of funding one two-year grant (50 000 euros/year) was partitioned, as well as five larger (25 000 euros) and eleven smaller grants (5 000 – 10 000 euros).
The two-year grant, 50 000 euros/year: Type 2 diabetes and genes
Professor Leif Groop, from the Universities of Helsinki and Lund, was awarded the largest grant. The main focus of his research group is “The prediction and prevention of type 2 diabetes through genetics”.
Type 2 diabetes is spreading like an epidemic throughout the entire world, including Finland. In 1990 a vast project was launched around the coastal areas of Ostrobothnia. This project is called the Botnia Study, and its goals are to clarify the hereditary background and other risk factors involved with type 2 diabtes. The intention is to apply the obtained knowledge to the prevention of type 2 diabetes. The received grant goes to research that focuses on the clarification of how hereditary and environmental factors affect the risk of contracting type 2 diabetes, and how different people benefit from exercise.
The goal is to find genetic variations that affect variations in insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity and other metabolic factors in the population. In addition, the researchers want to clarify how the genetic variations set the effects exercise has on different people. The intention is to study the possibility of increasing the low amount of important genes tied to muscle energy consumption, which has been found in early stages of diabetes, through exercise. 400 people in poor physical condition are to be asked to participate in this research focusing on exercise. The goal is to increase aerobic performance with 15 percent within a year. Follow-up studies will be made after one, three and five years.
The larger grants, 25 000 euros: Five different research ventures
Docent Heikki A. Koistinen, employed at the University hospital of Helsinki, received the large grant for his research regarding “The mechanisms of the molecular level of insulin resistance: regulation of glucose transport and fat metabolism in muscles”.
The transportation of glucose, or sugar, to the cell, and fat metabolism is disturbed in the muscles of a person with type 2 diabetes. A specimen from the thigh muscle will be surgically removed from the persons with type 2 diabetes as well as from members of the control group. With the help of these specimens, the aspects of how insulin, the protein called adiponectine and insulin sensitizers affect fat metabolism and transportation of glucose to cells. It is important to know the functions of insulin resistance on a molecular level when developing better treatment plans for glucose control. The information is also useful in the prevention of diabetes.
Ph.D. Sanna Lehtonen from the University of Helsinki received the large grant for research regarding “The molecular biology of the functional disorder of podocytes connected with diabetic nephropathy”.
The goal is to study the regulation of the function of epithelial cells, or podocytes, of the kidney glomerulus under normal circumstances as well as in kidney diseases causing high levels of protein in urine, especially diabetic nephropathy. The project aspires to characterize early molecular changes connected to nephropathy, and its second priority is to identify new possible molecules for development of drug treatment. The research is conducted using test animals, cell cultures and human kidney tissue samples.
Professor Riitta Luoto from the University of Tampere and the UKK institute received the large grant for research that clarifies the prevention of gestational diabetes through diet and exercise “The prevention of gestational diabetes – a randomized controlled study”.
The goal is to try and prevent the development of gestational diabetes in mothers who are overweight or have previously suffered from gestational diabetes, pregnancy toximia or high blood pressure during their pregnancy. In addition to counseling the mothers also participate in peer group exercises once a week. The main goals are the prevention of gestational diabetes and the increase of the exercise consultants’ skills, as well as the furthering and follow-up of health care guidance regarding manner of living.
Ph.D. Oscar Puig from the University of Helsinki received the large grant for research entitled “An analysis of the entire genome regarding the regulation of gene transcription in people with fatty liver and metabolic disease”.
The goal is to clarify how the manifestation of genes in liver tissue varies in persons with fatty liver in comparison to persons of equal weight but normal concentration of fat in the liver. In addition to this, the factors regulating these genes are studied. Special areas of interest are the genes known to be connected to the inflammation process. The goal is to shed some light on the origin of fatty liver disease and insulin resistance.
Professor Tapani Rönnemaa from the University and University hospital of Turku received the large grant for research regarding “Drug treatment of gestational diabetes”.
The goal of gestational diabetes treatment is to decrease the risks for the fetus and the newborn. Diet is the primary form of treatment, but sometimes medication is needed, usually insulin. For the time being we have poor knowledge of how well it is possible to treat gestational diabetes with oral diabetes medication. The research aspires through a model for placenta infusion to clarify whether or not the new diabetes medication and metformin preparations pass through the placenta. The information obtained through this infusion model can be used when considering new drugs for the treatment of gestational diabetes.
Through patient examinations it is possible to clarify the differences that appear in persons with gestational diabetes treated with insulin, metaformin or diet during their pregnancy and labor, as well as in the morbidity of the newborns. Roughly 400 expecting mothers are to take part in the research. If metformin proves to be as effective as insulin in mild cases of gestational diabetes, part of the persons with gestational diabetes will be able to use metformine medication in the future.
The smaller grants, 5 000 – 10 000 euros
Docent Eero Kajantie, The Center for Public Health, 10 000 euros
Premature birth – the new risk factor connected with type 2 diabetes?
M.D. Jukka Westerbacka, University of Helsinki, 10 000 euros
The role of inflammation as a regulator of liver fattening and insulin resistance in human fatty tissue
M.sc. Zsofia Krisztina Gombos, University of Turku, 8 000 euros
The HLA genes outside the area of group II that expose to type 1 diabetes
M.L. Eliisa Kekäläinen, University of Helsinki, 8 000 euros
The significance of t-lymphocytes in the origin of autoimmunity
M.L. Antti Viljanen, University of Turku, 8 000 euros
The effects of dieting on the absorption of glucose stimulated by insulin on the heart, skeletal muscles and fatty tissue, and on the endothelic function of the peripheral artery
M.sc. Katja Helenius, University of Helsinki, 6 000 euros
The Cdk7 kinase complex as a regulator of fat metabolism through PPA receptors
M.L. Firozeeh Mousavinasab, University of Oulu, 5 000 euros
The individual and combined effects of environmental and genetic factors on the development of metabolic disease
Ph.Stud. Marjaana Mäkinen, University of Turku, 5 000 euros
The risk of vitamin D in the serum and type 1 diabetes for children
M.L. Jari Punkkinen, University hospital of Helsinki, 5 000 euros
Scintigraphy, breath test and electrogastrography in diagnosing gastroparesis in persons with diabetes showing upper abdominal symptoms
M.A. Niina Siitonen, University of Kuopio, 5 000 euros:
The significance of adiponectine and the genes encoding its receptors in type 2 diabetes and obesity
M.sc. Maija Tusa, University of Kuopio, 5 000 euros
A genetically altered mouse with the SUR1-E1506K -gene as a disease model for the beta cell disturbance in type 2 diabetes