Omics in Diabetic Neuropathy—A Path towards Better Understanding and New Targets

Stephanie Eid, PhD

Research Assistant Professor,
University of Michigan

What is your presentation about?
In my presentation, I’ll explore how multi-omics approaches, including single-cell RNA sequencing and other advanced techniques, are transforming our understanding of diabetic neuropathy. By examining the disease at molecular and single-cell resolution, we can uncover the mechanisms of nerve damage and identify new treatment targets. We hope that by applying these technologies, we can make this complex disease less mysterious and move towards more effective solutions.

How do you hope your presentation will impact diabetes research or care?
I hope my presentation will inspire progress in diabetes research and care by highlighting the need to understand diabetic neuropathy at a molecular and cellular level. Current treatments offer mostly symptomatic relief, leaving the underlying mechanisms unaddressed. Recent advances, particularly in using multi-omics technologies like single-cell RNA sequencing and metabolomics, are bringing fresh perspectives that could lead to mechanism-based treatments. By revealing novel targets and insights, my presentation aims to encourage research that accelerates the development of more effective therapies, ultimately improving patient care.

How did you become involved with this area of diabetes research or care?
I became involved in this area of diabetes research through my strong interest in understanding complex diseases at a molecular level. My journey began during my master’s program, where I focused on diabetes-related complications, primarily kidney disease. As our research progressed, I became intrigued by the broader implications of our findings, which led to a transition into studying diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). This shift was motivated by the significant impact DPN has on patients’ quality of life and the current gap in effective treatment options. Currently, we are applying single-cell RNA sequencing, metabolomics, and fluxomics to identify gene-metabolite targets at a single-cell level, aiming to understand how obesity and dyslipidemia disrupt axo-glial integrity and communication. The potential of these multi-omics technologies excites me, as they offer a new way to explore disease mechanisms and advance this field.