Studies and Volunteers
Our Research
The MRC Epidemiology Unit is involved in many research studies that look at obesity, type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders. These disorders develop as a result of the complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors that operate throughout life.
The overall aim of our research is to improve our understanding of these metabolic disorders. However, our research does not study the intricate molecular mechanisms that control metabolic disorders, but takes a much wider approach. Instead of looking at specific individuals, we look at groups of people and whole populations to find common factors that influence whether people develop these disorders. We look to find trends and relationships that predispose people to obesity and type 2 diabetes or influence how people are affected if they develop these disorders.
As a consequence of our population approach we need to look at large numbers of people from all ethnic groups. And this is where we need your help. Several of our studies look at particular populations such as those with type 2 diabetes, pregnant women and infants. However, many of our studies involve people from the general population. By doing this we are able to identify factors that may have small and subtle, but significant, impacts on the health of the population. For further information on how to get involved in our studies click here.
The findings from our research may be used in several ways:
- they help us to create strategies to prevent the development of these metabolic disorders in the general population. We are able to rigorously test these strategies in our studies to see how effective they are. If successful, we may recommend that they are rolled out nationally. This work is coordinated by our Prevention Group.
- they may identify factors that our colleagues in the University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories can investigate at the molecular level. This may identify pathways that are affected in metabolic disorders and potential targets for future drugs and treatments.
For a full list of the research studies that the Unit is involved in click here.
