This thesis work was performed at the Rolf Luft Center for Diabetes Research at the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
My journey at KI has been very intructive, not only in the meaning of science but also on a personal level. I feel that I have grown in many ways and I’ve learned a lot about myself and my passions. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to all the fantastic persons that have helped and supported me during my years as a postgraduate student.
You are all a big part of this thesis!
First of all I would like to express my true gratefulness to my main supervisor Professor Claes-Göran Östenson. Thanks for sharing your endless interest in the field of diabetes and for always being so positive and encouraging. You are a true inspiration and a great teacher. You have helped my formation into an independent researcher and I appreciate your commitment in my career development.
Associate Professor Harvest F Gu, my co-supervisor. Thank you for teaching me everything you know about molecular biology and genetics. I believe that your knowledge has helped me a lot and you’ve taught me to look for solutions somewhere other than in front of me. You were always available when I needed your help. I hope that you can show me your home country China sometime in the future!
Professor Suad Efendic, my co-supervisor. I still remember the day I met you as if it was yesterday. You have made great contributions to my studies and I truly appreciate all your suggestions and comments. You have always looked after me and it means a lot that you have continuously had my best at your interest. You are a great inspiration, who always puts a smile on my face.
Professor Kerstin Brismar, for showing an interest in my research and for always giving me helpful advice, ideas, comments and suggestions. Your dedication to science inspires me.
All my co-authors: Delphine Lagarde, Laurent Essioux, Guillemette Duchateau-Nguyen, Anders Thorell, Christophe Gardes, Roger G. Clerc, Sofia Nordman, Adili Abulaiti, Agneta Hilding and Keith Humphreys for interesting collaborations, valuable discussions, comments and suggestions.
I wish to thank my past and present colleagues at M1 (former Luftslottet (som sprängdes)) and L1: Annelie Björklund, Galyna Bryzgalova, Dongying Zhang, Anna-Karin Eriksson, Jacob Grünler, Birgitta Isenberg, Akhtar Khan, Jun Ma, Zuheng Ma, Anita Maddock, Fazliana Mansor, Hoa Nguyen Khanh, Neil Portwood, Octavian Savu, Muhammed Seed Ahmed, Vivek Sunkari, Huyen Vu Thi Than, Tina Wallin and Kamal Yassin.
I would like to thank Agneta Hilding and Yvonne Strömberg for valuable statistical and technical help. I am very thankful for your knowledge and for taking your valuable time to assist me whenever I needed your skills. Elisabeth Norén-Krog, my colleague and friend. My time here would not have been the same without you, and that is a fact.
Your assistance has been priceless and I really appreciate your patience and flexibility.
I value your company. Sofia Nordman, my former colleague and friend. I would never have made it unless you had been there. I do not need to say more, you know it already.
Carolina Gustavsson, my friend and fellow admission board member. It has been nice to have someone who understand what I have been going through during these years.
Thanks for ventilating and also for initiating BBB, a world of dance in the basement of MF. Anna Witasp, Lollo Sjöholm and Ida Nilsson, my peers at KI, who I often run into at the gym. Looking forward to future BH-reunions. After me, it’s your turn. Good luck with your dissertations!
All the amazing persons at the administration: Helena Nässén, Kerstin Florell, Ann-Britt Wikström, Katarina Breitholtz (my summer house neighbor) and Lena Ehrenstig. Thanks for your interest in my study progress and for guiding my way through all the paper work. Christina Bremer, one of the most generous persons I have learned to know during my time at Karolinska. You’ve always looked after me ever since I came to L6. Thanks for everything. You are a breath of fresh air.
Lennart Helleday, the computer expert. Thanks for your interest in my PhD training and for always checking on me. Whenever I needed your help you were there within seconds. Thanks for teaching me French, Italian and for sharing your interest in history, food and nature.
The Book Club, you know who you are. Thanks for interesting discussions on past, present and future literature and on just about anything else too for that matter. I hope you keep it up even though I’m not here anymore.
All my friends outside of work (in no particular order), who I am so lucky to have in my life. Thanks for keeping me on track and for reminding me that there is a life outside of work! Elin Wobbeking (du och jag Elin), my friend who although she lived in Boston for many years never stopped being close. Now we can visit each other as often as we want. Coola bananer! You and Sloan mean the world to me and I am so glad to have you in my life. Congratulations to your new family member Sigrid. She is an angel. Elin Finnpers, my childhood friend who’s been there through it all. My “big sister”, who I’ve spent numerous times enjoying life with. You know me better than anyone else. Thank you for sticking by me. Christel, my peer from HiS who knows everything about the world of medicine. Thanks for being so supportive and for charing your life experience. Jennie, my close friend, who I met at a bus stop and have been hanging out with ever since. Thanks for reminding me what life is all about. Kicki, my childhood friend, who always makes me feel good every time I see her. We had the best time growing up. Thanks for being a wonderful friend. Nana my childhood friend, who gets my head straight when I’m stressing about things. Thanks for being
spontaneous and for making me feel important. Emma, my friend from high school, who I have shared many girls weekend’s with. Thanks for your support. Sandi, my Canadian pen pal and best friend since 19 years, who will be a part of my extended
family forever. Thanks for always bringing me energy and great memories. Therese and Marianne, my awesome friends, who shares my interest in design and who tells me when it’s time for fun dates.
My genes: Göran, dad, you have supported me like only you can and been there to answer questions about everything. You have taught me a lot about life and
relationships and will always have a special place in my heart. We are similar in many ways. Eva, mom, who also is my best friend. Thank you for always being so straight and honest and for making me feel safe and calm. No one makes me laugh like you do.
You are one of the most strong and humble persons I know. Pär-Olof (Peo), my amazing younger brother, who gets to be the older one in many occations and manages exceptionally. Thanks for being so encouraging and for supporting me unconditionally.
This project was supported by the Novo Nordisk Scandinavia, Novo Nordisk Consortium, Swedish Diabetes Association, Swedish Research Council, F. Hoffman-LaRoche AG, GlaxoSmithKline, Vetenskapligt arbete inom diabetologi foundation and Loo and Hans Osterman foundation.