New approaches in diabetes gene therapy

Objective

Diabetes mellitus is the most common metabolic disease in humans. All forms of diabetes, both inherited and acquired, are characterized by hyperglycemia, an absolute or relative lack in insulin, and development of diabetes specific microvascular pathology in the retina and renal glomerulus, neurological complications and macrovascular complications. Fatima Bosch's group has developed three transgenic animals models expressing PEPCK/glucokinase, PEPCK/myc and PEPCK/insulin chimeric genes respectively, at hepatic level. These animals remain normoglycemic despite a destruction of B cells, suggesting that engineering extrapancreatic tissue to express these genes during diabetes might be an useful approach of gene therapy for diabetes.
This project is focused on the use of these three chimeric genes for the establishment of new therapeutical approaches of diabetes. In conclusion, this study will provide informations about the feasibility of the gene therapy in human diabetic patient.

Programme(s)

• FP4-TMR - Specific research and technological development programme in the field of the training and mobility of researchers, 1994-1998

Topic(s)

• 0302 - Post-doctoral research training grants
• TL02 - Molecular Biology and Biochemistry

Funding Scheme

RGI - Research grants (individual fellowships)

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Coordinator

Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona

Address

08193 Barcelona
Spain

Participants (1)

Not available

France