The study led by Professor Laura Elo and Professor Riitta Lahesmaa aimed to identify transcriptional changes associated with disease progression in patients with recent-onset type 1 diabetes.

The researchers analysed blood samples collected as part of the global INNODIA partnership.  A certain gene expression signature was found to be associated with rapid disease progression.

“One benefit of such predictive signature would be the ability to intervene earlier in the disease process. This could help slow the progression of the disease and potentially prevent or delay the onset of symptoms. Another benefit would be improved monitoring of the disease progression, which would allow for more personalised treatment plans and better outcomes for patients”, Elo and Lahesmaa explain.

Type 1 diabetes is a complex autoimmune disease where insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas are destroyed. Disease progression varies between individuals and currently there is no way to predict individual outcomes. >> Keep reading

In addition to Riitta Lahesmaa and Laura Elo, the first authors of the article included (from left) Senior Researher Ubaid Kalim, Postdoctoral Researcher Tomi Suomi and Doctoral Researcher Inna Starskaia.
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Liisa Koivula