MRC Epidemiology Unit
Research led by Dr John Perry and Dr Deborah Thompson (a former member of the Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology) has found that loss of the Y chromosome from circulating […]
How both mother and baby genes affect birth weight
The largest study of its kind leads to new insights into the complex relationships surrounding how mothers’ and babies’ genes influence birth weight. The research, published in Nature Genetics, identifies […]
Discovery of genetic variants that protect against obesity and type 2 diabetes could lead to new weight loss medicines
Around four million people in the UK carry genetic variants that protect them from obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease, suggests new research from the University of Cambridge. The […]
Gene variations that reduce ability to store fat around the hips linked to higher risk of diabetes and heart attacks
People who are less likely to put on excess fat around their hips due to their genes are at higher risk of type 2 diabetes and heart attacks, according to […]
New drugs could reduce risk of heart disease and diabetes when added to statins, according to genetic study simulating clinical trial
New drugs that lower levels of triglycerides (a type of fat) in blood could further reduce the risk of heart attack when added to statins. These new drugs, which are […]
How genetic studies are helping to explain the global surge of type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide and understanding its causes is essential to stem the rapid increase in the number of people affected by this chronic […]
Walking and cycling rather than driving may reduce your risk of dying from cardiovascular disease by almost a third
Dr Jenna Panter and Dr Oliver Mytton of the Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR) write in The Conversation about new research published in the journal Heart. Swapping your car […]
We uncovered the genetic basis of risk taking – and found it’s linked to obesity and mental illness
Emma Clifton, University of Cambridge; Felix Day, University of Cambridge, and Ken Ong, University of Cambridge Those who take extreme risks often describe being drawn in by a feeling of […]
First genes that influence muscle strength in humans identified
Common genetic factors that influence muscle strength in humans have been identified for the first time in a study led by researchers from the University of Cambridge and published today […]
Unravelling the mystery of the disappearing chromosomes
A study of over 85,000 men, led by researchers from the Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge and deCODE genetics in Iceland, and published today […]