MRC Epidemiology Unit
@mrcepid.bsky.social
Studying the genetic, developmental & environmental determinants of obesity, type 2 diabetes & related metabolic disorders. Contributing to their prevention.
Pinned
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.
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.
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.
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.
December 18, 2025 at 5:25 PM
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.
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...
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...
EPIC-Norfolk and Fenland studies shortlisted for the Novo Nordisk Foundation Inter-SUSTAIN call - MRC Epidemiology Unit
The EPIC-Norfolk Study and Fenland studies have recently been shortlisted by the Novo Nordisk Foundation to take part in their Inter-SUSTAIN call. There is now an opportunity for researchers to […]
www.mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk
December 17, 2025 at 1:42 PM
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...
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
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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)
December 16, 2025 at 2:34 PM
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)
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
buff.ly/Xmqg2aI
@phgfoundation.bsky.social @mrc-bsu.bsky.social @dphpc.bsky.social
December 16, 2025 at 12:48 PM
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
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
Nature Genetics: buff.ly/x8fbPnF
December 12, 2025 at 12:50 PM
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
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
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Read our full news article at buff.ly/VcW4Sm2
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December 8, 2025 at 12:15 PM
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
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Read our full news article at buff.ly/VcW4Sm2
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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.
December 5, 2025 at 2:14 PM
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
December 4, 2025 at 5:00 PM
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
Reposted by MRC Epidemiology Unit
👉East of England health researchers!
👉Want to learn strategies to reduce barriers in health inequalities?
👉Book onto our free, online Inclusivity training with Dr Heidi R Green via: bit.ly/4peHjYX
👉8 Dec | 10am - 11.30am
For info: georgina.norris3@nhs.net
@cuh.nhs.uk @cam.ac.uk @dphpc.bsky.social
👉Want to learn strategies to reduce barriers in health inequalities?
👉Book onto our free, online Inclusivity training with Dr Heidi R Green via: bit.ly/4peHjYX
👉8 Dec | 10am - 11.30am
For info: georgina.norris3@nhs.net
@cuh.nhs.uk @cam.ac.uk @dphpc.bsky.social
December 1, 2025 at 4:07 PM
👉East of England health researchers!
👉Want to learn strategies to reduce barriers in health inequalities?
👉Book onto our free, online Inclusivity training with Dr Heidi R Green via: bit.ly/4peHjYX
👉8 Dec | 10am - 11.30am
For info: georgina.norris3@nhs.net
@cuh.nhs.uk @cam.ac.uk @dphpc.bsky.social
👉Want to learn strategies to reduce barriers in health inequalities?
👉Book onto our free, online Inclusivity training with Dr Heidi R Green via: bit.ly/4peHjYX
👉8 Dec | 10am - 11.30am
For info: georgina.norris3@nhs.net
@cuh.nhs.uk @cam.ac.uk @dphpc.bsky.social
"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)
@drmariespreckley.bsky.social comments on new WHO guidance on weight loss drugs.
buff.ly/BEypph6
(1/2)
December 2, 2025 at 1:12 PM
"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)
@drmariespreckley.bsky.social comments on new WHO guidance on weight loss drugs.
buff.ly/BEypph6
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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)
By analysing street camera images and travel patterns across 45 cities worldwide they will create detailed neighbourhood maps showing how people move.
(1/2)
December 1, 2025 at 5:02 PM
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)
By analysing street camera images and travel patterns across 45 cities worldwide they will create detailed neighbourhood maps showing how people move.
(1/2)
Join our next online Bradford Hill Seminar with Dr Muin J. Khoury, who led the Office of Public Health Genomics at the CDC and will discuss:
From Genes to Public Health: The Journey Continues!
📅 Wed 10 December, 1 PM (UK)
Info and registration - buff.ly/i1j3aoU
🧵 (1/2)
From Genes to Public Health: The Journey Continues!
📅 Wed 10 December, 1 PM (UK)
Info and registration - buff.ly/i1j3aoU
🧵 (1/2)
December 1, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Join our next online Bradford Hill Seminar with Dr Muin J. Khoury, who led the Office of Public Health Genomics at the CDC and will discuss:
From Genes to Public Health: The Journey Continues!
📅 Wed 10 December, 1 PM (UK)
Info and registration - buff.ly/i1j3aoU
🧵 (1/2)
From Genes to Public Health: The Journey Continues!
📅 Wed 10 December, 1 PM (UK)
Info and registration - buff.ly/i1j3aoU
🧵 (1/2)
We have donated manually operated clinical couches, automatic BP monitors, ECG machines & clinical trolleys to Medical Aid International; a social enterprise that works to advance patient care in low & middle income countries through long-term, sustainable change.
November 28, 2025 at 2:00 PM
We have donated manually operated clinical couches, automatic BP monitors, ECG machines & clinical trolleys to Medical Aid International; a social enterprise that works to advance patient care in low & middle income countries through long-term, sustainable change.
As the Soft-Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL) is extended to cover milkshakes and pre-packaged lattes, it's worth taking a look back at some of the findings from the evaluation of the SDIL undertaken by @martinwhite33.bsky.social and colleagues.
studies.mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk/sdil
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studies.mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk/sdil
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November 25, 2025 at 2:00 PM
As the Soft-Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL) is extended to cover milkshakes and pre-packaged lattes, it's worth taking a look back at some of the findings from the evaluation of the SDIL undertaken by @martinwhite33.bsky.social and colleagues.
studies.mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk/sdil
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studies.mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk/sdil
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Looking for reliable, high-quality biological sample processing and storage services?
The MRC Epidemiology Unit BioRepository has a dedicated team & state-of-the-art facilities at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and Research Park.
📨 For a quote: BioRepManager@mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk
buff.ly/59J0cNp
The MRC Epidemiology Unit BioRepository has a dedicated team & state-of-the-art facilities at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and Research Park.
📨 For a quote: BioRepManager@mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk
buff.ly/59J0cNp
November 25, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Looking for reliable, high-quality biological sample processing and storage services?
The MRC Epidemiology Unit BioRepository has a dedicated team & state-of-the-art facilities at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and Research Park.
📨 For a quote: BioRepManager@mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk
buff.ly/59J0cNp
The MRC Epidemiology Unit BioRepository has a dedicated team & state-of-the-art facilities at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and Research Park.
📨 For a quote: BioRepManager@mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk
buff.ly/59J0cNp
Can we trust the science of nutrition?
Was the question asked of @mrcepid.bsky.social’s Prof. Nita Forouhi & others on an expert panel for the BBC’s A Question of Science.
Prof. Brian Cox and guests dive into the complex world of diet, nutrition & food choices.
Listen - buff.ly/DSDX2UY
Was the question asked of @mrcepid.bsky.social’s Prof. Nita Forouhi & others on an expert panel for the BBC’s A Question of Science.
Prof. Brian Cox and guests dive into the complex world of diet, nutrition & food choices.
Listen - buff.ly/DSDX2UY
November 24, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Can we trust the science of nutrition?
Was the question asked of @mrcepid.bsky.social’s Prof. Nita Forouhi & others on an expert panel for the BBC’s A Question of Science.
Prof. Brian Cox and guests dive into the complex world of diet, nutrition & food choices.
Listen - buff.ly/DSDX2UY
Was the question asked of @mrcepid.bsky.social’s Prof. Nita Forouhi & others on an expert panel for the BBC’s A Question of Science.
Prof. Brian Cox and guests dive into the complex world of diet, nutrition & food choices.
Listen - buff.ly/DSDX2UY
Analysis of changes in physical activity and diet quality in 7,256 Fenland Study participants finds that while improvments in each were independently associated with lower increases in body fat, the greatest benefits were achieved by combining both.
News blog post buff.ly/l60E8nz
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News blog post buff.ly/l60E8nz
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November 21, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Analysis of changes in physical activity and diet quality in 7,256 Fenland Study participants finds that while improvments in each were independently associated with lower increases in body fat, the greatest benefits were achieved by combining both.
News blog post buff.ly/l60E8nz
🧵 (1/4)
News blog post buff.ly/l60E8nz
🧵 (1/4)
"Nutrition must no longer remain a missing pillar in obesity management medication care."
@drmariespreckley.bsky.social @cararuggiero.bsky.social & Adrian Brown on lessons from bariatric interventions on nutritional support needed for GLP-1 receptor agonist assisted weight loss therapy.
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@drmariespreckley.bsky.social @cararuggiero.bsky.social & Adrian Brown on lessons from bariatric interventions on nutritional support needed for GLP-1 receptor agonist assisted weight loss therapy.
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I am delighted to share our new perspective piece in the International Journal of Obesity: “Bridging the nutrition guidance gap for GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy assisted weight loss: lessons from bariatric surgery.”
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
@cararuggiero.bsky.social @adrianbrown.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
@cararuggiero.bsky.social @adrianbrown.bsky.social
November 17, 2025 at 10:11 AM
"Nutrition must no longer remain a missing pillar in obesity management medication care."
@drmariespreckley.bsky.social @cararuggiero.bsky.social & Adrian Brown on lessons from bariatric interventions on nutritional support needed for GLP-1 receptor agonist assisted weight loss therapy.
🧵(1/2)
@drmariespreckley.bsky.social @cararuggiero.bsky.social & Adrian Brown on lessons from bariatric interventions on nutritional support needed for GLP-1 receptor agonist assisted weight loss therapy.
🧵(1/2)
Reposted by MRC Epidemiology Unit
Hot off the press 🔥 Amazing work to be a part of led by @drmariespreckley.bsky.social and @adrianbrown.bsky.social. Watch this space!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
November 16, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Hot off the press 🔥 Amazing work to be a part of led by @drmariespreckley.bsky.social and @adrianbrown.bsky.social. Watch this space!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Today is World Diabetes Day & our Brief Interval podcast series ends with Dr Charlotte Boughton discussing the use of automated insulin delivery systems, that aim to impreove outcomes for people with type 2 diabetes.
Charlotte is a Clinical Researcher @ims-mrl.bsky.social
Listen – buff.ly/zJrvFRo
Charlotte is a Clinical Researcher @ims-mrl.bsky.social
Listen – buff.ly/zJrvFRo
November 14, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Today is World Diabetes Day & our Brief Interval podcast series ends with Dr Charlotte Boughton discussing the use of automated insulin delivery systems, that aim to impreove outcomes for people with type 2 diabetes.
Charlotte is a Clinical Researcher @ims-mrl.bsky.social
Listen – buff.ly/zJrvFRo
Charlotte is a Clinical Researcher @ims-mrl.bsky.social
Listen – buff.ly/zJrvFRo
New analysis by Katherine Kentistou et al. of rare coding variants in UK Biobank participants identifies 9 genes that regulate fetal adipose tissue and fetoplacental angiogenesis as determinants of birth weight, highlighting role of IGFS.
Read the @natcomms.nature.com paper: buff.ly/tLbRjj4
Read the @natcomms.nature.com paper: buff.ly/tLbRjj4
November 14, 2025 at 10:36 AM
New analysis by Katherine Kentistou et al. of rare coding variants in UK Biobank participants identifies 9 genes that regulate fetal adipose tissue and fetoplacental angiogenesis as determinants of birth weight, highlighting role of IGFS.
Read the @natcomms.nature.com paper: buff.ly/tLbRjj4
Read the @natcomms.nature.com paper: buff.ly/tLbRjj4
Reposted by MRC Epidemiology Unit
Join our rescheduled online Bradford Hill Seminar with @alucassen.bsky.social, discussing:
Diagnostic and predictive journeys: Finding the right balance in genomic medicine
📅 Wed 26 November, 1 PM (UK)
Register buff.ly/U06QZ9N
@dphpc.bsky.social @mrc-bsu.bsky.social @phgfoundation.bsky.social
Diagnostic and predictive journeys: Finding the right balance in genomic medicine
📅 Wed 26 November, 1 PM (UK)
Register buff.ly/U06QZ9N
@dphpc.bsky.social @mrc-bsu.bsky.social @phgfoundation.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Join our rescheduled online Bradford Hill Seminar with @alucassen.bsky.social, discussing:
Diagnostic and predictive journeys: Finding the right balance in genomic medicine
📅 Wed 26 November, 1 PM (UK)
Register buff.ly/U06QZ9N
@dphpc.bsky.social @mrc-bsu.bsky.social @phgfoundation.bsky.social
Diagnostic and predictive journeys: Finding the right balance in genomic medicine
📅 Wed 26 November, 1 PM (UK)
Register buff.ly/U06QZ9N
@dphpc.bsky.social @mrc-bsu.bsky.social @phgfoundation.bsky.social
By 2025 1.27 billion people could have type 2 diabetes.
In this podcast, Dr. Chunxiao Li (@mrcepid.bsky.social) discusses the importance of understanding diet's impact on and the link between meat consumption and type 2 diabetes in a podcast.
Listen - buff.ly/o2yDBfB
Read - buff.ly/XpFXgAx
In this podcast, Dr. Chunxiao Li (@mrcepid.bsky.social) discusses the importance of understanding diet's impact on and the link between meat consumption and type 2 diabetes in a podcast.
Listen - buff.ly/o2yDBfB
Read - buff.ly/XpFXgAx
Brief Interval - meat, chicken nuggets, and a side order of type diabetes - The Confidence Interval
Chunxiao Li is a Research Associate at the Unit, and a lead author on a paper that investigated the association of meat consumption on type two diabetes.
buff.ly
November 13, 2025 at 11:30 AM
By 2025 1.27 billion people could have type 2 diabetes.
In this podcast, Dr. Chunxiao Li (@mrcepid.bsky.social) discusses the importance of understanding diet's impact on and the link between meat consumption and type 2 diabetes in a podcast.
Listen - buff.ly/o2yDBfB
Read - buff.ly/XpFXgAx
In this podcast, Dr. Chunxiao Li (@mrcepid.bsky.social) discusses the importance of understanding diet's impact on and the link between meat consumption and type 2 diabetes in a podcast.
Listen - buff.ly/o2yDBfB
Read - buff.ly/XpFXgAx
Reposted by MRC Epidemiology Unit
📢Excited to say that registration is open for Prevention Research 2026, 4-5 March, Birmingham. Visit preventionresearch26.co.uk to book your place and explore the latest research and strategies for preventing non-communicable diseases and reducing health inequalities across the UK.
Prevention Research 2026
preventionresearch26.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 2:39 PM
📢Excited to say that registration is open for Prevention Research 2026, 4-5 March, Birmingham. Visit preventionresearch26.co.uk to book your place and explore the latest research and strategies for preventing non-communicable diseases and reducing health inequalities across the UK.
AMPLIFY is a new study led by @drmariespreckley.bsky.social that seeks to understand how people experience next-generation incretin-based therapies, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, when used for weight management.
Read our news post at buff.ly/o6auZ0q
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Read our news post at buff.ly/o6auZ0q
🧵 (1/3)
November 12, 2025 at 3:52 PM
AMPLIFY is a new study led by @drmariespreckley.bsky.social that seeks to understand how people experience next-generation incretin-based therapies, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, when used for weight management.
Read our news post at buff.ly/o6auZ0q
🧵 (1/3)
Read our news post at buff.ly/o6auZ0q
🧵 (1/3)