Unravelling a mystery around type-2 diabetes
For 30 years, scientists have been trying to understand how a biological molecule self-assembles into a rogue protein-like substance, which is thought to play a key role in type-2 diabetes.
A team of scientists at the University of Leeds has, for the first time, been able to identify the step-by-step changes that take place in the molecule known as human islet amyloid polypeptide, or hIAPP, as it changes into amyloid.
They have also discovered new compounds that are able to speed up or slow down the process.
Professor Sheena Radford said "This is an exciting and huge step forward... to tackle a major health issue."
Read the full press release on the University of Leeds website