The University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories (MRL) brings together outstanding scientific and clinical researchers from 22 laboratories in an international centre of excellence for research into metabolic disease.
MRL scientists collaborate to improve understanding of the causes of diabetes, obesity and other related endocrine and metabolic disorders in order to help prevent their devastating effects.
The MRL is the base for the MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit (MDU), which was awarded as part of a strategic funding partnership between the Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust. The MDU provides core facilities that are vital to researchers across the institute, in addition to several unique programmes of research.
Research at the MRL
The MRL comprises approximately 140 scientists, organized into 22 research groups.
Between them, groups encompass skills in genetics, cell biology, cell signalling, neuroendocrinology, bioenergetics, human and animal physiology, experimental medicine and clinical trials.
The MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit provides the core facilities that underpin virtually all the basic science research at the MRL. The MDU also supports individual programmes of research that aim to improve understanding of the basic mechanisms responsible for obesity and related metabolic diseases.
Research Insights
The process by which a mother’s diet during pregnancy can permanently affect her offspring’s attributes, such as weight, could be…
Genetic variant may help explain why Labradors are prone to obesity
A genetic variation associated with obesity and appetite in Labrador retrievers – the UK and US’s favourite dog breed –…
Opinion: Why some humans developed a taste for milk and some didn’t
Giles Yeo (MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit) discusses the origins of lactose intolerance. Imagine a dinner party somewhere in Italy to…
Stored fat fights against the body’s attempts to lose weight
The fatter we are, the more our body appears to produce a protein that inhibits our ability to burn fat,…
