The increased incidence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a growing threat to global health. This chronic and progressive metabolic disease is characterized by insulin resistance and beta cell defects, arising from environmental and genetic factors. Multi-disciplinary approaches that capitalize on genetic, genomic and physiological disciplines are required to gain insight into Type 2 diabetes pathogenesis through an increased understanding of the complicated biology that contributes to the development of insulin resistance and beta cell failure. The meeting will focus on latest advancements in our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of Type 2 diabetes to accelerate the translation of experimental and clinical discoveries to link phenotype to genotype. Particular emphasis will be placed on 1) epigenetics, genetics and pharmacogenomics of metabolic responses, 2) links between pathways linking obesity, inflammation, and insulin resistance and 3) Type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents. A key goal for the meeting will be to facilitate collaborative interactions between basic and clinical scientists focused on prediction, prevention, and treatment of insulin resistance and diabetes.
