(R462) Distribution of SNP rs4430796  in Hispanic Population of Southern California  as a predisposition  method of developing type II diabetes

Alondra Maiz-Zapata (Vanguard University of Southern California)| Kevin Banco- Hernandez (Vanguard University )| Sandra Camacho (Vanguard University )| Itzel Callejas (Vanguard University )

One in ten people have diabetes in America, about 13% are Hispanic descent. From this 13% of Hispanic adults, 50% of that population will develop diabetes at some point in their life. As the Hispanic community keeps growing as the years go by the increase in diabetic patients goes up. Physically, mentally and financially, diabetes makes a big impact in people's lives as the disease progresses. Genetics can play a big role in identifying and preventing diseases, one way of that is by detecting single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). The rs4430796 in gene HNF1β which is a transcription factor expressed in the liver and pancreas associated with type II diabetes. The goal of this experiment is to identify the prevalence of rs4430796 SNP in Hispanic descent which has been associated with diabetes. We are analyzing 17 control and 24 diabetic samples from Hispanics living in Southern California. After buccal samples were collected and the DNA was extracted,  a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was running. To confirm the SNP we used an enzymatic digestion using SfaN1 enzyme. This experiment will help contribute to the overall knowledge in the distribution of SNPs associated with type II diabetes in the Hispanic population of Southern California. If a person learns he or she possesses the SNP, this could help take preventive measures before the disease sets in by making better diet choices, increase the physical activity and keep a close monitoring of  their blood sugar to catch the disease before it gets out of control.