International Consortium Study Investigating DNA Methylation and Risk of Diabetic Complications

**New Projects On Offer for 2025** Vascular complications remain the major cause of mortality and morbidity in diabetes with increasing evidence that prior glycaemic exposure is a major determinant of susceptibility and progression of these disorders. Most individuals with diabetes have good health outcomes. However, many others do not. Despite the availability of effective therapies, diabetes remains the leading cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD), amputation, renal impairment and vision loss in adults. It is not simply poor metabolic or blood pressure control, as even with intensive intervention and dedicated compliance, complications still occur. Furthermore, it is not simply having the wrong genes, as genome wide association studies have demonstrated that the genetic code explains only a fraction of the variability between those individuals with and without complications. The most likely explanation is that there is a complex interaction between the cellular environment and genes. We are interested in exploring epigenetic interactions which we hypothesize are an important determinant for the development and progression of vascular complications in individuals with diabetes. We hypothesise that DNA methylation contributes to the programming for the development and progression of diabetic vascular complications. We have new projects on offer in collaboration with international consortiums to investigate methylation protection and disease risk. The generalisability of DNA methylation change will be assessed from the following diabetes registries. **Denmark** Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen (SDCC) **Finland** Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy Study (FinnDiane). **Hong Kong** Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity (HKIDO). **Thailand** Theptarin Diabetes Clinic (TRH). Expected Outcomes of PhD Projects 1. Contemporary epigenetic training, support and education using national and international diabetes registries. 2. Differentially methylated genes associated with Diabetic Complications (DCN) represent novel and commercially viable biomarkers of susceptibility, progression and peripheral tissue protection. 3. Identify rapid progressors for whom more aggressive current treatment regimens should be implemented. 4. Major opportunities for publication growth and broadening DCN invention, technology and commercial IP. 5. Enhance gender equality and inclusion of ECS while diversifying the future fund base beyond the program.