American Diabetes Association and GSK create US$1.5m research award
To focus on microbiome and metabolic changes in obesity and diabetes
The American Diabetes Association and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) have set up a US$1.5m Research Award that will explore the relationship between nutrition, the microbiome and metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes.
The Research Award will support studies aimed at understanding the impact of changes in diet, lifestyle and/or therapeutics on microbiome composition and function and will provide a better understanding of the role of the microbiome in patients who are obese and/or have diabetes.
The microbiome has long been recognised for its role in the gastrointestinal tract, but the American Diabetes Association says more needs to be done to evaluate the emerging regulatory role it plays in metabolism.
Vivian Fonseca, president, Medicine & Science at the American Diabetes Association, said the research award ‘will help increase knowledge of the metabolic changes that affect both glucose and cardiometabolic risk factors, and provide the insight we need to better understand the connection between diabetes and obesity’.
Murray Stewart, therapy area head for metabolism research and development at GSK, added: ‘Diet is a fundamental cornerstone of the management of diabetes and we still don't fully understand the effect of diet and the microbiome on glucose and other metabolic parameters.
‘GlaxoSmithKline is delighted to work with the American Diabetes Association and hopes this research will advance our understanding in this area and improve the lives of people with diabetes.’
The grants will be three-year awards, starting in 2013.