New diabetes test

DNAPrint Genomics have entered partnership with Harvard University in a new research and licensing agreement. DNAPrint Genomics are sponsoring the research at the LTR (Laboratory for Translational Research) at Harvard Medical School. The research will aim to produce a new diagnostic test that targets sectors of the diabetic population who are at risk of developing vascular diabetic complications. Furthermore, the company will aim to commercialise the test.
Vascular or blood vessel diabetes complications are numerous, and at advanced stages are extremely serious. They include blindness, renal transplants and leg amputations and constitute between 10 and 15 per cent of the entire US health budget. Detecting these conditions early is therefore a major priority, and certainly in the interests of public health.
The research group at Harvard has isolated a molecule, known as CD59, which seems to be the key regulator in cell damage caused by high glucose levels. Damage to these microvessels is a major contributory cause to kidney, heart and nerve disease. Together, three conditions afflict 60 per cent of diabetes patients at some stage in the lifetime of their disease. Through further discoveries DNAPrint Genomics, Inc. should be able to create a test to identify the early stages of micro-vascular problems.