A new study from Scotland has found the genetic links that play a major part in determining the working of a common diabetes drug.

Metformin is being used by millions of people across the globe for Type 2 diabetes and it has been selling for almost 50 years. The study led by researchers from the Biomedical Research Institute at Dundee University unveiled how the drug works on different patients.

The discovery is crucial in finding new drugs having potential to serve as treatment for type 2 diabetes. The scientists based their findings on the analysis and blood samples of around 20,000 patients in Tayside.

The scientists have found out a particular chromosome 11 that includes a gene known as ATM (Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated), which has its impact on the functioning and effectiveness of metformin.

“ATM is a gene that is known to be involved in the DNA damage response system of cells, a mechanism that if faulty can lead to the development of cancer”, said Dr. Ewan Pearson, one of the study’s researcher.

He added that they were trying to identify the genes associated with the regulation of blood but what the discovery of ATM was not expected.

The funding for the study came from the Wellcome Trust and Diabetes UK. More sponsorship has been granted by Diabetes UK to Dr. Pearson to further conduct the research employing new genetic techniques.