Metabolism Section

Diabetes, obesity, bone and mineral disorders and liver disease are all significant common human health problems. Susceptibility to these diseases depends on the inheritance of particular alleles of genes and on complex environmental factors that include ageing. Our research is aimed at understanding the role of some of the genes involved in susceptibility and disease progression. Ultimately we aim to translate this research to benefit for the patient.

Work in this section contributes to a number of the MRC research priority areas and strategic aims (MRC strategic plan 2009-2014 and MRC Delivery Plan 2011/12 to 2014/15).

The metabolism section currently has 3 main areas of research:

(1) The Genetics of Type 2 Diabetes. This is an MRC Mammalian Genetics Unit funded core programme with additional external grant support. Research includes work on obesity, as this is a key risk factor for diabetes. The diabetes group has many external collaborators, including on diabetic complications, and is a partner in the OXION Oxford Ion Channels Consortium.

(2) The Genetics of Bone and Mineral disorders and Renal Disease. This is an external collaborative programme with Professor R Thakker at the Oxford Centre for Diabetes Endocrinology and Metabolism (University of Oxford).

(3) The Genetics of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD; common in patients with insulin resistance), Alcohol Addiction and Drug Induced Liver Injury. This is an external collaborative programme with Professor M Thursz (Imperial College) and Dr QM Anstee (Newcastle University).