Professor Frances Ashcroft discovered a link connecting an
increase in blood sugar to the secretion of insulin in 1984. She also found a genetic mutation that causes
neonatal diabetes. Children suffering
from this form of diabetes can now be treated by pill rather than injection
thanks to Ashcroft's work.
Educated at Cambridge University, Ashcroft holds BA, PhD,
and ScD degrees. She is the Royal
Society GlaxoSmithKline Research Professor at the University of Oxford. Her main areas of research include insulin
secretion, type 2 diabetes, and neonatal diabetes. She authored a text book, Ion
Channels and Disease.
Ashcroft discovered the ATP-sensitive potassium channel in
1984. The channel allows potassium ions
to move out a cell. The channel is
closed when glucose breaks down - stimulating insulin secretion. This was the missing link connecting glucose
to insulin secretion.
In 1995 Ashcroft was part of a team that discovered the DNA
sequence for the ATP-sensitive potassium channel. DNA screening enables people to determine if
they have a common gene variant that causes an increase in the risk for type 2
diabetes.
Further research in 2003 led to the discovery of a mutation
in the channel that can cause neonatal diabetes. It can be treated by sulphonylurea
drugs. Treatment in pill form improves
the quality of life for many diabetes patients; previously treatment was
limited to injectable forms.
Ashcroft was named European Laureate at the L'Oreal-UNESCO
For Women in Science Awards on March 30, 2012.
The awards are presented annually and there is one winner from each
major continent. Today Ashcroft's
studies focus on obesity.
Watch a video of Frances
Ashcroft describing her work.
Read
more about diabetes on CR4.
Resources:
The
Telegraph: British scientist to receive
award for diabetes work
University of
Oxford: Frances Ashcroft FRS
University of
Oxford: Frances Ashcroft wins top women
in science award
Wikipedia:
Frances Ashcroft
http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53799-lorealfwis2012
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