PhD defence J. (Jun) Liu

A substantial burden of mortality and disability worldwide is caused by diabetes and its complications, including cardiovascular diseases, retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy. Among the diabetic patients, 90-95% are suffering type 2 diabetes (T2D), which is age-related and determined by a combination of genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors, including overweight, obesity, diet, physical activity, smoking and other factors. Meanwhile, T2D is also highly co-occurrent with the components of metabolic syndrome, including high blood pressure, lipid dyslipidaemia and abdominal obesity. However, the molecular processes and pathways underlying T2D and these related risk factors and its endophenotypes are still not clear. Understanding the pathophysiology of T2D and glycaemic traits can help to facilitate the prevention and treatment strategies. In this thesis, I aim to provide novel insights into the pathophysiology of T2D by several omics approaches and integration of multi-omics, centering on genomics, epigenomics and metabolomics.

The public defence will take place at the Senatehall, 1st floor of the Erasmus Building, Campus Woudestein. The ceremony will begin exactly at 13.30 hrs. In light of the solemn nature of the ceremony, we recommend that you do not take children under the age of 6 to the first part of the ceremony.