Molecular endocrinology

Our activities focus on the elucidation of the molecular bases responsible for the evolution toward this diabetes, mainly type 2 diabetes (T2D), its long-term complications and the associated co-morbidities. In particular, our research projects aim at:

1. define the impact of the epigenome on the evolution toward T2D and its chronic complications and co-morbidities. A major task of his work is to clarify how epigenetic changes, particularly in response to environmental hits, affect the individual genomic footprint in the progression toward T2D.


2. establish the molecular bases of T2D impact on cancer risk and prognosis. Our work in this area largely focuses on adipose tissue dysfunction and cytokinome contribution to cancer risk and evolution in the T2D-affected individual.


3. understand how, at the molecular level, the advanced glycation end-products (AGE) induce signalling abnormalities driving the onset of T2D complications and co-morbidities. Cognitive dysfunction and T2D effect on risk of Alzheimer’s disease currently represent a major field of interest in this module.

Operationally, the research activities within these three areas are highly integrated and complemetary and also benefit from an high level of multidisciplinarity. They are also coincident with the mission and the aims of the URT “Genomica del Diabete” of the Institute GDD                       .