Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Background

Lipid fractions play a causal role in the development of diabetes. However, the major lipid fractions only crudely quantify the lipidome. Metabolomics can quantify hundreds of circulating lipid-related traits, together with fatty acids and amino acids.

Research Experience, Research Methods and Training

  • Analyses of omics data to investigate observational associations of metabolites with incident diabetes and progression of diabetes (including diabetes complications) using the DIRECT study and UK Biobank.
  • Characterize GWAS hits for diabetes for their association with metabolites (PheWAS scan)
  • Conduct Mendelian randomization analyses of individual lipoproteins, lipids, fatty acids and amino acids for their causal role in diabetes
  • Handling of multidimensional datasets and ‘big data’

Working with world leaders in translational genetics

Field Work, Secondments, Industry Placements and Training

  • Mendelian randomization course in Cambridge
  • Potential secondment at University of Bristol with Prof George Davey Smith’s group, that are pioneers in development of novel methodology for Mendelian randomization as applied to ‘omics’ data

Prospective Candidate

MSc in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Genetics or related field.

Prospective candidates should be interested in identifying causes of disease, seek experience handling large multidimensional datasets including ‘omics’ and want to publish high-impact Science with the aim to becoming a translational genetic epidemiologist.

 

Find out more

Supervisors

Michael Holmes

Senior Clinical Research Fellow in Cardiovascular Medicine

Michael Holmes

Cecilia Lindgren

Associate Professor, Director of Graduate Studies and Senior Group Leader

Mark McCarthy

Robert Turner Professor of Diabetic Medicine; Group Head, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics

MarkMcCarthy