Medical researchers have been awarded about $US2 million to investigate whether Pacific people have a genetic predisposition to diseases like gout and diabetes.
Both diseases and other metabolic disorders are rife in the Pacific.
A team of researchers from the University of Otago has been granted the money by New Zealand's Marsden Fund Council.
Principal investigators include Professors Anthony Merriman and Lisa Matisoo-Smith, and Dr Anna Gosling, who will be working with scientists in Guam and Papua New Guinea.
Dr Gosling told Don Wiseman what they are aiming to do.
Dr Anna Gosling Photo: supplied
