MRC Epidemiology Unit
Studying the genetic, developmental & environmental determinants of obesity, type 2 diabetes & related metabolic disorders. Contributing to their prevention.
- Join our hybrid Bradford Hill Seminar 'Leveraging External Data for Testing Experimental Therapies with Biomarker Interactions in Randomized Clinical Trials' with Professor Lorenzo Trippa @hsph.harvard.edu & @danafarber.bsky.social 📅 Friday 27 February, 1 PM Info & registration buff.ly/xoDhItz
- The Guardian reports on recent research led by @cam.ac.uk scientists which found that one in seven food delivery businesses in England are so-called "dark kitchens", which are delivery-only with no customer-facing storefront. Guardian article: buff.ly/ipuAXaB 🧵 (1/3)
- New genetic research led by @cam.ac.uk researchers Emily Morbey & Professor Ken Ong links high levels of testosterone in the blood to a greater risk of coronary artery disease in men. Read more buff.ly/rtkglXj 🧵 (1/5)
- “The story of saturated fats and heart health has been like solving a large jigsaw puzzle over decades, but the evidence stacks up” Prof Nita Forouhi @cam.ac.uk comments in @telegraph.co.uk on new US dietary guidelines that encourage greater consumption of saturated fats buff.ly/hsAe5K7 (1/2)
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- “The story of saturated fats and heart health has been like solving a large jigsaw puzzle over decades, but the evidence stacks up” Prof Nita Forouhi @cam.ac.uk comments on new US dietary guidelines that encourage consumption of saturated fats. www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitne... (1/2)
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- New research by Alexandra Boskovic, @jhoenink.bsky.social & @thomasburgoine.bsky.social finds that fast-food outlet density in the UK increased by 36% between 2011 and 2024, with the gap between the most deprived areas and most affluent areas widening by 30%. doi.org/10.1016/j.he...
- Researchers from the Global Diet and Activity Research Network (@mrcepid.bsky.social, @cam.ac.uk) contributed to a book on Urban Health in Africa, published by Johns Hopkins University Press (@hopkinspress.bsky.social). Learn more - buff.ly/xtObDjW
- Exciting news! The EPIC-Norfolk & Fenland studies have been shortlisted by the @novo-nordisk.bsky.social for their Inter-SUSTAIN call. Researchers are now called to submit proposals, and if successful both researcher and study database will receive funding. buff.ly/ZisvSte
- Register for today's Bradford Hill Seminar It's an in person event with Prof. Clare Turnbull who will discuss expanding testing of cancer susceptibility genes from the clinic to the population: exploring the evidence gaps 📅 Wed 14 January 1 PM (UK) Register - buff.ly/Hpbj8qM
- Sign up to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus PhD Symposium! It features inspiring keynote talks, student flash talks, career advice panels, & research skills workshops for PhD students undertaking their studies on the campus. Registration is free and closes 16/01/2026 - buff.ly/MSLrw6b
- A lot of unhealthy food in the UK is sold using price promotions or special offers, such as ‘buy one get one free (BOGOF)’ deals. In October 2025 price and multibuy promotions on unhealthy food and drink were banned in England. Scotland and Wales are planning to bring in similar bans. (1/4)
- Our first Bradford Hill Seminar of 2026 will be in-person with Professor Clare Turnbull of the Institute of Cancer Research to discuss expanding testing of cancer susceptibility genes from the clinic to the population. 📅 Wed 14 Jan, 1 PM (UK) Register: buff.ly/hZtYEKZ @phgfoundation.bsky.social
- New @cam.ac.uk and @ucl.ac.uk research finds people prescribed weight loss drugs such as semaglutide and tirzepatid may not receive sufficient nutritional guidance to support safe and sustainable weight loss, leaving them vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies and muscle loss. 🧵 (1/4)
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- Our first Bradford Hill Seminar of 2026 will be in-person with Professor Clare Turnbull of the Institute of Cancer Research to discuss expanding testing of cancer susceptibility genes from the clinic to the population. 📅 Wed 14 Jan, 1 PM (UK) Register: buff.ly/hZtYEKZ @phgfoundation.bsky.social
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- The 2025 issue 5 of the epigram newsletter is out now! In this issue we're counting the cost of calories, looking back at our 2025 research successes, and sharing a veritable feast of podcasts. Happy Christmas from us to you and yours.
- Exciting news! The EPIC-Norfolk & Fenland studies have been shortlisted by the @novo-nordisk.bsky.social for their Inter-SUSTAIN call. Researchers are now called to submit proposals, and if successful both researcher and study database will receive funding. www.mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk/blog/2025/12...
- Have you noticed a school street closure in your neighbourhood? Schemes restricting parking outside schools at drop-off and pick-up times have proliferated across the UK, @jennapanter.bsky.social and colleagues evaluated their impact on school travel. Read more: buff.ly/tNiPnUQ 🧵 (1/3)
- Watch a recording of the Bradford Hill Seminar "From Genes to Public Health: The Journey Continues" with Dr Muin J. Khoury, who until recently led the Office of Public Health Genomics at the CDC. buff.ly/Xmqg2aI @phgfoundation.bsky.social @mrc-bsu.bsky.social @dphpc.bsky.social
- Yajie Zhao et al. report on the use of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to identify new rare, protein-coding gene varients and biological mechanisms associated with adult BMI and type 2 diabetes risk, using data from the @ukbiobank.bsky.social UK & All of Us studies. Nature Genetics: buff.ly/x8fbPnF
- Recruitment and data collection for Fenland phase 3 study is now complete. We are grateful to the more than 5,000 Fenland Study participants who took part in this phase of the study. Read our full news article at buff.ly/VcW4Sm2 🧵 (1/4)
- Congratulations to Dr Cara Ruggiero @cararuggiero.bsky.social, who was named runner-up for the British Nutrition Foundation Drummond Early Career Scientist Award 2025, presented at the BNF Annual Conference held at the Royal College of Physicians in central London on Tuesday, 25th November 2025.
- Nature Communications paper by Dr Robert Luben et al, using data from studies including UK Biobank & EPIC-Norfolk, identifies novel genetic risk factors for primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) in European populations, ilumnating the genetic underpinnings of this blinding disease: buff.ly/MMcCprh
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- "A key strength [of the guidance] is the emphasis on combining medication with behavioural support and on the need for equitable access, rather than presenting drugs as a stand-alone solution." @drmariespreckley.bsky.social comments on new WHO guidance on weight loss drugs. buff.ly/BEypph6 (1/2)
- Kelly Kokka & James Woodcock have been awarded funding for a project using AI to help planners create healthier and more sustainable cities. By analysing street camera images and travel patterns across 45 cities worldwide they will create detailed neighbourhood maps showing how people move. (1/2)
