MRC Epidemiology Unit
The MRC Epidemiology Unit is a department at the University of Cambridge. It is working to improve the health of people in the UK and around the world.
Obesity, type 2 diabetes and related metabolic disorders present a major and growing global public health challenge. These disorders result from a complex interplay between genetic, developmental, behavioural and environmental factors that operate throughout life.
The mission of the Unit is to investigate the individual and combined effects of these factors and to develop and evaluate strategies to prevent these diseases and their consequences.
MRC Epidemiology Unit Seminar series
Find a list of upcoming seminars and recordings of previous ones. Receive emails about future seminars and other alerts: subscribe here.
Become a study volunteer
We are is involved in many studies that look at obesity, type 2 diabetes and related metabolic disorders. But you don’t need to have one of these conditions to help us with our research. We are constantly looking for volunteers to enroll in our studies and help us improve our knowledge of these diseases and how to treat and prevent them.
Data sharing
We are committed to sharing data to maximise the value of our work for the public good. Our Data Sharing pages have details of the principles and processes for accessing and sharing data.
Work and study
We offer an extensive range of career opportunities for scientists, research support staff and management professionals. Whether you are a recent graduate or a senior researcher, we want to attract and train the brightest minds, and invest in their futures through structured career development training and on-the-job learning.
Making an Impact
We are building research, clinical and public health pathways for the application of our work. This means collaborating across sectors, developing new approaches for healthcare, and informing population approaches to disease prevention and public health promotion.
Our latest news
DNA discovery highlights how we maintain healthy blood sugar levels after meals
A study of the DNA of more than 55,000 people worldwide has shed light on how we maintain healthy blood sugar levels after…
Professor Martin White co-leads new £5.4 million national consortium to evaluate interventions to improve food systems
A consortium of Universities and innovation partners has been awarded £5.4 million from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to run a programme of…
Air pollution is a hidden pandemic in Africa – tips on how to reduce your exposure and help combat it
In this article originally published in The Conversation, GDAR scientists Dr Gabriel Okello, and Dr Meelan Thondoo discuss strategies that individuals, communities and…
Biomarkers improve evaluation of Mediterranean diet health benefits
Researchers have developed a novel way to detect whether a person follows a Mediterranean diet using a blood test and used it to…