Diabetes risk of babies increased by famine experience of mothers

The Chinese Famine (1959-1961) left health effects on
people who were in utero at the time. Image: China Mike

A paper by Monash University published today in Nature Reviews Endocrinology suggests that pre-birth exposure to poor nutrition during times of famine and other disasters may put babies at risk of diabetes, contributing to today’s global type 2 diabetes epidemic.

The review, led by Department of Diabetes Professor Paul Zimmet AO, examined data about in utero exposure to poor nutrition during the Chinese Famine (1959–1961), concluding it probably contributed to China's current diabetes epidemic.The paper warns that relief agencies should urgently review the way emergency food aid is given in populations during major catastrophes, including war and earthquakes.

International collaboration to investigate diabetes epigenetics

L-R: Professor Mark Cooper (Monash), Professor Stephen Jane 
(Monash), Professor Paul Zimmet (Monash), Mr Sami Sagol,
Professor Naftali Stern (Director of Endocrinology,Tel Aviv
Medical Center), Dr Tamar Shahal, Prof Sam El-Osta (Monash)

A new Israel-Australia research centre involving a major collaboration with Monash University was officially launched 5 September 2018 in Tel Aviv, Israel.

The Sagol Center for Epigenetics of Metabolism and Aging cements the relationship between Monash University and the Tel Aviv Medical Center, Israel’s largest health institution, where the centre will be based. The initiative was made possible by the generosity of the Sagol family in Israel and is the vision of philanthropist Sami Sagol.

Spotlight on our NHMRC Fellowship winners: Professor Sam El-Osta

Professor Sam El-Osta
Department of Diabetes, CCS

by Anne Crawford

Professor Sam El-Osta. Senior Research Fellowship: characterise novel epigenetic mechanisms and the exact nature of ‘metabolic memory’ at sites of diabetic complications.

Professor El-Osta’s Fellowship project is building on his previous exciting findings about epigenetic modifications – the chemical changes that modify DNA – and will target genes that are implicated in diabetic nephropathy and atherosclerosis.

Exploring the brave new world of the epigenome

Professor Sam El-Osta's (second from right, back row) research group

by Anne Crawford

When it comes to the epigenome, there is a fine line between clarity and confusion—walk that line and you will discover another fascinating level of transcription control.

So begins a review of the current state-of-play of studies into epigenetics in diabetic complications led by Professor Sam El-Osta from Monash University’s Department of Diabetes. The paper, which focusses particularly on the complication diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease), appeared on the cover of last month’s edition of ‘Diabetologia’.

Fainting disorder mechanism figured out

Fainting caused by POTS is regulated by switching gene

function off. Image:  Imgur/Twoisnoe

by Anne Crawford

Central Clinical School (CCS) investigators have discovered the mechanism underlying Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), the condition famously affecting the former lead singer of The Wiggles.

POTS is a disorder characterised by orthostatic intolerance – having difficulty in becoming upright, particularly when standing up from a lying-down position, when a greatly reduced volume of blood returns to the heart. Symptoms can include feeling light-headed, fainting, fatigue and slurred speech. Interestingly, eighty per cent of those with the condition are women.