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Although lifestyle has a big effect on our health, the DNA inherited from your parents plays a crucial role, and big data from population studies is providing clues we can use to improve our health. Although on the outskirts of Exeter, this venue is on three bus routes: H, 5 and 55. Just ask for “Cowley Bridge” if coming from town, £1.70 each way. The events take place in the restaurant, and there are a few steps so this venue is not accessible for those with impaired mobility.
Using genetics to understand birth weight
Rachel Freathy
(Sir Henry Dale Fellow, University of Exeter)
People tend to have a higher risk of adult type 2 diabetes if they were born with either a low or very high birth weight, but we don’t fully understand this association. We are analyzing genetic differences between people in a large studies of mothers and babies. We have found a number of genetic changes that influence birth weight. Some of these genetic changes also influence type 2 diabetes risk. These findings are beginning to help us to understand how babies grow and how this growth is linked with later-life disease.
Genes set the human egg timer
Kate Ruth
(Research Fellow, University of Exeter)
Analysing genetic data on many thousands of women is helping us to understand the biology of reproductive ageing. Menopause occurs in half of the population and affects women’s fertility and health in later life, but we don’t know much about its biology. Our genetic studies have found that genes involved in response to DNA damage influence menopause age and that the control of the start and end of reproductive lifespan are linked
Big data and Genetics: Unlocking causal relationships
Jess Tyrell
(Research Fellow, University of Exeter)
We now live in a very data rich world. The quantity of data creates a serious problem for scientists as lots of trends and associations will be identified that are meaningless. It is essential to determine which associations are causal. We can use genetics to investigate causal relationships. We have used genetics in this way to unlock the causes and consequences of obesity. Obesity is a global health problem and understanding the causal role of obesity is essential for public health interventions.
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