Maykel López Rodriques

Human diseases are influenced by our genetic background. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed that many genetic variants are associated with increased risk for diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2D) and coronary artery diseases (CAD). However, for the vast majority of these variants we are still lacking a complete understanding of the functional mechanisms underlying their associations.
In my project I am studying the molecular mechanism by which certain genes and variants contribute to the susceptibility and progression of metabolic diseases. I aim to integrate genetic signals into coherent functional pathways that explain a bigger fraction of the genetic background of T2D, obesity and CAD. Understanding the functional outcomes of our genetic signature could help in the implementation of genotype-specific diagnostic and patient management, as well as to develop more precise therapeutic approaches in the future.