Research

Scientists Search for Diabesity Tests

09 July 2009

Hundreds of West Australians with diabetes are now set to help scientists at the State’s Centre for Food & Genomic Medicine (CFGM) search for new medical tests to help tackle the growing diabesity epidemic.

Diabesity, the term used to describe the strong relationship between obesity and type 2 diabetes, has been coined to describe the partnership of these two conditions, into one singular term.

The details of the project were announced on World Diabetes Day in 2007 with scientists conducting the research at WA’s new $1.5m state-of-the-art Proteomics Facility, to search for proteins in the blood that might serve as markers of diabesity.

“We believe there are biomarkers, or proteins in the blood, that can act as early warning signs that a person might be more likely to fall victim to diabesity,” said Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR) Professor, and the Centre’s Scientific Head, Peter Leedman.

“Using these proteins, new treatments may be able to be developed and simple tests created that could accurately predict and diagnose those at risk of these diseases in a bid to slash some of the serious health problems they cause.

“The biomarkers may also help us predict those with diabetes who will go onto develop serious complications, such as kidney and eye disease.”

“Biomarkers are being used in the cancer area, and we are keen to use them to help beat the diabetes and obesity crisis.”

The Proteomics Facility, which is part of the Lotterywest State Biomedical Facility, will be an integral venue in allowing WA diabesity research to take place.

“Without this proteomics research centre and the cutting-edge equipment it contains, this particular study would just not be possible in WA,” said Professor Leedman.