MRC Epidemiology Unit
Scientists at the Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge in collaboration with Huma Therapeutics Limited have published results from the Fenland COVID-19 study, showing that participants had high, sustained levels of engagement with a smartphone app developed by Huma to collect information including health related measurements from individual participants. The COVID-19 […]
Fitness levels can be predicted using wearable devices…and no treadmill required!
Cambridge researchers have developed a method for measuring overall fitness accurately on wearable devices – and more robustly than current consumer smartwatches and fitness monitors – without the wearer needing to do an exercise test. VO2max is the capacity of the body to carry out aerobic work and a key measurement of overall fitness, is […]
Detecting the undetected: measuring levels of three proteins in the blood can aid detection of undiagnosed prediabetes
Scientists have used a proteomics approach to identify a three-protein signature in the blood that can improve detection of isolated impaired glucose tolerance, a form of prediabetes. The research, led by scientists from the MRC Epidemiology Unit and Berlin Institute of Health at Charité Universitätsmedizin, Germany, is published today in Nature Medicine. Medical and behavioural […]
Fenland Study finds widening inequalities in physical activity and diet during the COVID-19 pandemic
Findings from a Cambridgeshire study published in the journal Public Health show that diet quality and physical activity levels fell substantially during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic levels. The fall was greatest in those living in less affluent areas. If these behaviour changes persist, this could have a considerable impact on widening inequalities, with those […]
Proteogenomic analysis explains why some people suffer more from COVID-19 than others
A large number of people are still contracting COVID-19. Fortunately, most of them are experiencing only mild symptoms, largely thanks to the high vaccination rate. However, in some individuals the disease takes a much more severe cause and our understanding about the underlying reasons is still insufficient. The human genome may hold a key to […]
COVID-19 Study demonstrates potential for at home blood sample collection
The ability to collect a blood sample painlessly from people at home without the need of a healthcare worker visit could transform the way healthcare and health research are conducted. This has been demonstrated by new study results published on 10 May 2022 in the Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare. Lockdown learning At the height […]
Combining proteomics techniques reveals importance of protein structure to health
In a study undertaken in more than 10,000 individuals, and published today in Nature Communications, scientists have shown that integrating information derived from different technologies to measure proteins can identify otherwise hidden links between proteins and human health and disease. The international research team led by scientists from the Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit […]
Filling the gaps: connecting genes to diseases through proteins
Hundreds of connections between different human diseases have been uncovered through their shared origin in our genome by an international research team led by Unit scientists, challenging the categorisation of diseases by organ, symptoms, or clinical speciality. A new study published in Science today generated data on thousands of proteins circulating in our blood and […]
Cambridge Festival 2021 – Involving people in telehealth research during the COVID-19 pandemic
Involving people in telehealth research during the COVID-19 pandemic – The challenges of scale, engagement and inclusivity Watch a recording of this event on our YouTube channel Advances in online platforms, devices and smartphone technology create opportunities for researchers to continue research and engage with study participants whilst maintaining COVID-19 physical distancing rules. In this […]
Discovery of genetic regulators of human metabolism and health
An international team led by researchers at the MRC Epidemiology Unit has used a cross-platform approach across several large human studies to identify hundreds of novel genetic variants that regulate metabolite levels in the blood. Human metabolism exchanges and converts small molecules, so called metabolites, to provide energy and essential components for each cell in […]