La Jolla Institute (LJI) researcher Stephanie Stanford was awarded a $1.6 million grant from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) to investigate the genetic and environmental factors that trigger the onset of type 1 diabetes.
Stanford was single-handily chosen by ADA because of her promising type 1 diabetes research she has been conducting under the guidance of LJI faculty member Nunzio Bottini, an internationally renowned researcher based in LJI's Division of Cellular Biology and the Type 1 Diabetes Research Center, reported Phys.org.
There is no known cause or cure for type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease in which a person's pancreas stops producing insulin. (Type 2 diabetes is the strain of the disease effected by diet and exercise)
Between 2008 and 2009, an estimated 18,436 people younger than 20 years in the United States were newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, reported the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Stanford's research focuses on the mutation of the PTPN22 gene that would normally give the body a strong immune response to viral infections. She believes the mutated version of the gene could trigger type 1 diabetes.
"We believe that when the PTPN22 gene is mutated, it impairs the body's immune response to viral infections, especially a specific enterovirus that is known to trigger type 1 diabetes by leaving the body vulnerable to an attack on the pancreas," Stanford told Phys.org. "We also believe that certain environmental factors, including exposure to pathogens early in life, contribute to increased risk of type 1 diabetes."
Through her research, Stanford homes to determine how genetic and environmental factors work together to trigger type 1 diabetes and then figure out a way to stop this from happening, reported Phys.org. Her team has several mutated or varied genes in question, but the PTPN22 gene is one of the top two genes on the list.
"We're optimistic that once we understand why the immune system is suppressed, we will be able to devise ways to prevent people who carry the mutated gene from developing type 1 diabetes," Stanford said. "This could be in the form of personalized measures to counter viral infections once they afflict the body, or could be in the form of a vaccine for that type of infection in the first place."
Bottini believes Stanford is an excellent choice for the award and shows confidence that she will make significant scientific advances with the money granted to her.
"All of Dr. Stanford's colleagues at La Jolla Institute are excited about the ADA award because she is such a deserving recipient," Bottini told Phys.org. "Having worked closely with her for several years, I've seen Dr. Stanford develop into one of the outstanding young immunology researchers in the nation. With her talent and passion for science, I'm confident Dr. Stanford will use the ADA support to make some significant advances in the effort to discover the causes of type 1 diabetes and potential strategies to prevent the disease."
