Genetics of Diet-Related Obesity and Diabetes
The "Western diet" (together with decreasing physical activity levels) is driving the present epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the Australian community. Gene-environment interactions are causing this problem, but identifying these genes in humans is notoriously difficult. We will address the issue of gene-diet interactions in diabesity by addressing two questions using laboratory-based models - what genes contribute to diet-induced metabolic changes and can we modify diet to prevent obesity in genetically prone individuals and what genes control this effect.
Outcomes:
- Identification in obese and normal mice of traits affected by dietary modifications.
- Mapping of genes controlling these traits in "normal" mice (BXD strains).
- Mapping of genes controlling these traits in obesity-prone mice.
Principal Investigator:
- Prof Grant Morahan - UWA, Centre for Medical Research
