[Genomics and type I diabetes]

Type I diabetes is the multifactorial disease for which genome-wide studies were conducted for the first time, both in human and in animal models. Today, two susceptibility loci have been identified: one, at the HLA locus, which represents a major genetic determinant to the disease, and the other at the insulin gene. Studies are in progress to try to map and identify other genetic factors involved in disease susceptibility. The task is made difficult due to the large number of susceptibility genes involved, interacting between themselves and with environmental factors, and most of which carrying only minor effects, which may be heterogeneous between populations. The combination of genetic and biological approaches will be essential in order to elucidate the nature and function of these genes. Recent progress on the knowledge of the human genome, as well as the availability of adequate technologies will accelerate these researches.