Harnessing the heterogeneity of type 2 diabetes onset for precision prevention

Project synopsis

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a growing global health concern, with rising prevalence and associated devastating cardiovascular complications. Despite advancements in understanding T2D progression, the early stages preceding diagnosis remain poorly understood, largely due to the disease's inherent heterogeneity, where hyperglycemia emerges from diverse metabolic alterations. Current diagnostic standards, relying on metrics like HbA1c and fasting glucose, fail to capture this heterogeneity, limiting the ability to implement targeted prevention strategies. This project seeks to address this gap by focusing on tissue-specific insulin resistance (IR), particularly in muscle (MIR) and liver (LIR), as an early marker of dysglyceamia. We hypothesize that these distinct tissue-specific IR phenotypes, which can be identified using indices derived from oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT), represent unique disease subtypes that hold the key to developing precision prevention approaches. This project will examine the associations between these IR subtypes and cardiometabolic disease risk, explore how dietary and nutritional exposures influence these relationships, and uncover molecular signatures linked to tissue-specific IR phenotypes and their long-term cardiometabolic risk.

Framework 

This project leverages the unique strengths of two extensively characterized cohorts, Inter99 and IMI-DIRECT, which provide immediate access to rich datasets that are crucial for addressing the proposed research objectives. The project will be anchored within the dynamic research environment of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR) at the University of Copenhagen. Here, Associate Professor Jordi Merino leads a dedicated research group focused on unraveling the molecular underpinnings of T2D heterogeneity to develop more effective strategies against this global health challenge. CBMR, with its cutting-edge research programs and focus on human variation for precision health, provides a fertile ground for interdisciplinary collaboration and access to state-of-the-art resources, ensuring the project's success.

Ideal candidate

    • A PhD degree in the field of bioinformatics, data science, epidemiology, or nutrition.
    • A strong computational background and expertise in dealing with large datasets, including metagenomics, human genetics, metabolomics, nutrition, etc.
    • An active interest in diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolism.
    • A proven track record showing scientific productivity in peer-reviewed journals.
    • Proficient communication skills and ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams.
    • Excellent English communication skills, both written and spoken.

    Mentor team

    Basic mentor: Jordi Merino, PhD, Associate Professor; Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen.

    Clinical mentor: Allan Linneberg, MD, PhD, Clinical Professor; Bispebjeg and Fredriksberg Hospital, University of Copenhagen.

    Life science industry mentor: Andreas Buch Møller, PhD, Scientific Partnerships Manager Arla Innovation Center, Arla Foods.

    Supplementary basic mentor: Henrik Munch Roager, PhD, Associate Professor; Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports University of Copenhagen

    Contact 

    Jordi Merino, jordi.merino@sund.ku.dk