Nutrition, Obesity, Metabolism and Endocrinology

This Theme’s Focus

Nutrition and prevention of metabolic diseases
Improved diagnosis and treatment of obesity and diabetes
Development of new technologies to diagnose hormonal conditions and tumours

Our research aims to improve the lives and health of people with obesity, diabetes and related metabolic and endocrine diseases. We use a number of approaches including genetics and imaging to determine why these conditions occur and to improve prevention, early diagnosis and develop safe and effective treatments.

Theme Leads

Professor Sadaf Farooqi

Professor of Metabolism and Medicine at the University of Cambridge and an Honorary Consultant in Diabetes and Endocrinology at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge.
Email: isf20@medschl.cam.ac.uk

Professor Nita Forouhi

Director of Organisational Affairs for the School of Clinical Medicine and NIHR Senior Investigator
Email: nita.forouhi@mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk

Meet our researchers

Our research has six broad sub-themes with the following aims:

Nutrition, Physical Activity, Metabolic Disease and Prevention

We study population-based cohorts using genetics and other approaches to develop precision prevention for Type 2 Diabetes.

In this aim, we will also develop digital tools to assess diet and activity levels which can be deployed to deliver personalised interventions to improve the health of people with obesity, diabetes and related conditions.

Severe Obesity

We will deliver stratified weight-loss therapy to help people with severe obesity.

We will work to assess and improve the stigma faced by children with severe obesity.

Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

We will assess how the artificial pancreas (a device which calculates how much insulin people with diabetes need to control their blood sugar) can help people with complex nutritional needs.

Fatty liver disease and Severe Insulin Resistance

We will work to identify biomarkers which predict who may develop severe forms of liver disease and explore the use of new treatments for people with conditions which cause too much fat to go into the liver (called lipodystrophy).

Osteoporosis, Endocrine disorders and Endocrine tumours

We will use state-of-the-art imaging technologies to detect new endocrine tumours and osteoporosis at an early stage so that people can receive targeted therapies.

We will develop mechanism-based therapies for patients with genetic thyroid disorders.

Endocrine signals and biomarkers of systemic disease

We will develop new technologies that can be used to investigate how hormones cause a range of conditions such as chemotherapy-induced nausea and hyperemesis gravidarum in pregnancy.

Latest News

Cambridge Professor Stephen O’Rahilly honoured with the Berthold Medal for work in Endocrinology

March 26, 2025

Professor Krishna Chatterjee has been awarded the Gerald D. Aurbach Award for Outstanding Translational Research from the Endocrine Society.

Photo of Krish, a man with short hair and a moustache, standing in front of some greenery

Cambridge professor receives top award for outstanding research in endocrinology

August 22, 2024

Professor Krishna Chatterjee has been awarded the Gerald D. Aurbach Award for Outstanding Translational Research from the Endocrine Society.

Researcher awarded prestigious Academy of Medical Sciences Fellowship

May 22, 2024

Congratulations to Professor Nita Forouhi, NIHR Senior Investigator and co-theme lead for Nutrition, Obesity, Metabolism and Endocrinology, who has been elected as a fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences.

Close up image of pregnant woman - Redgular from Pixabay

Cambridge-led study discovers cause of pregnancy sickness – and potential treatment

December 13, 2023

A study supported by NIHR Cambridge BRC has shown why many women experience nausea and vomiting during pregnancy – and why some women become so sick they need to be admitted to hospital.

Prestigious laureate award for Theme Lead Prof Farooqi

August 22, 2023

Our Nutrition, Obesity, Metabolism and Endocrinology Theme Lead…

Obesity accelerates loss of COVID-19 vaccination immunity, study finds

May 12, 2023

A new study has found the protection offered by COVID-19 vaccination declines more rapidly in people with severe obesity than in those with normal weight. It suggests that people with obesity are likely to need more frequent booster doses to maintain their immunity.

NICE recommends Cambridge-developed ‘artificial pancreas’ for use on NHS for management of type 1 diabetes

January 17, 2023

The artificial pancreas for type 1 diabetes – which was developed…

Artificial pancreas app, insulin pump and glucose monitor

Artificial pancreas successfully trialled for use by type 2 diabetes patients

January 12, 2023

Cambridge researchers have successfully trialled an artificial pancreas for people living with type 2 diabetes.

Professor Krishna Chatterjee awarded a CBE

January 5, 2023

Professor Krishna Chatterjee, director of NIHR Cambridge Clinical Research Facility, has been awarded a CBE in the King's New Year Honours.

Cambridge researchers awarded Fellow status

May 11, 2022

Eight Cambridge researchers are elected as Fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences.

Sofia and Sam with the artificial pancreas

Artificial pancreas proves ‘life-changing’ for very young children with type 1 diabetes and their families

January 20, 2022

An artificial pancreas developed by Cambridge researchers and supported by the NIHR Cambridge BRC, has found it is both safe to use and more effective at managing blood sugar levels in young children than current technology.

Children holding hands - cherylholt from Pixabay

New research shows how our brain uses nutritional state to control growth and age at puberty

November 4, 2021

Rearchers have discovered how a receptor in the brain detects the nutritional state of the body and regulates the timing of puberty and rate of growth in children.

Artificial pancreas is helping protect very young children with type 1 diabetes

October 16, 2024

Researchers compared the performance of the artificial pancreas,…

Brain receptor uses nutritional state to control growth and age at puberty

October 16, 2024

Researchers have discovered how a receptor in the brain,…

Artificial pancreas trialled for outpatients with type 2 diabetes for first time

October 16, 2024

An artificial pancreas could soon help people living with…

Person wearing some jeans that are too big around the waist

A single gene could be the reason why some of us carry an extra 30 pounds of fat

October 16, 2024

New research has found that one in every 340 people might…

Measuring stomach - PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

How do our genes affect our weight

October 16, 2024

Researchers have known for some time that body weight is…

Graphic of a persons stomach with 3 lables numbered 1, 2 and 3

Artificial pancreas an international success

October 16, 2024

Poor management of blood sugar levels for people with diabetes…

Protein-truncating variants in BSN are associated with severe adult-onset obesity, type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease

April 12, 2024

Fetally-encoded GDF15 and maternal GDF15 sensitivity are major determinants of nausea and vomiting in human pregnancy

December 14, 2023

Replacing device-measured sedentary time with physical activity is associated with lower risk of coronary heart disease regardless of genetic risk

September 1, 2023

Chromosomal deletions on 16p11.2 encompassing SH2B1 are associated with accelerated metabolic disease

August 17, 2023

Accelerated waning of the humoral response to COVID-19 vaccines in obesity

May 12, 2023

The NIHR Cambridge BRC is part of the NIHR and hosted by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with the University of Cambridge. We are at the heart of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Europe’s largest health research area.

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Contact Us

Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre
Box 277
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ

Tel: 01223 348490

NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre @cambridgebrc ·

6 Jun

PPI Showcase! Thursday 12th June! Afternoon talks highlighting the best of local PPI include: How PPIE can get you over the starting line @Cambridge_Uni Prostate cancer: diet & gut health @CUH_NHS @AngliaRuskin @CAMBRIDGE_CEU @NIHRBioResource @MRC_Epid @CamNeuro @OTR_Cambridge

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NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre @cambridgebrc ·

6 Jun

Supported by Cambridge BRC, learn how a programme, developed by James Piercy, an 'expert of experience' who suffered a severe brain injury, ensures medical technology development is aligned with the unmet needs to brain injury survivors. @CUH_NHS @Cambridge_Uni @NIHRresearch

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS @CUH_NHS

Researchers based at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) have developed a programme to ensure that the development of medical technology is in line with the unmet needs of brain injury survivors.

Read more: https://orlo.uk/NfiZ3

@NIHR

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NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre @cambridgebrc ·

5 Jun

PPI Showcase! 12/06/25 - Highlighting the best of local PPI in research. Morning talks include Public involvement in gut-brain axis research @CamNeuro & Bringing in the Patient/Public Voice into Multi-Stakeholder Events @Cambridge_Uni @CUH_NHS
Book via: https://bit.ly/CambPPIshowEvents

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NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre @cambridgebrc ·

4 Jun

Are you an academic developing medical technologies or professional services staff supporting them? @OTR_Cambridge & @RegMetrics are running a free online workshop on med devices regulations on Thurs 12 June 10-11.45am. To book: https://bit.ly/3SyrwWf @Cambridge_Uni @CUH_NHS

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4 Jun

🔊Catch us until 3pm today at Cledara Abbey Stadium Mens Health Event -with Cambridge United Foundation!
🔊Learn about Men's Health, taking part in research & having your voice heard!
#MensHealthSteeringGroup #CambridgeUnitedFoundation #MensHealth @Cambridge_Uni @NIHRresearch

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4 Jun

FREE EVENT 👉Patient and Public Involvement in Discovery & Pre-Clinical Health Research - Panel Discussion
📅 Thurs 12 June
⏲️ 3.30 - 4.30pm
📍Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical
BOOK 👉 https://bit.ly/Pre-ClinPPIpanel
@CUH_NHS @IMS_MRL @SCICambridge @Cambridge_Uni @OTR_Cambridge @EarlyCancerCam

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Nutrition, Obesity, Metabolism and Endocrinology

This Theme’s Focus

Theme Leads

Professor Sadaf Farooqi

Professor Nita Forouhi

Our research has six broad sub-themes with the following aims:

Nutrition, Physical Activity, Metabolic Disease and Prevention

Severe Obesity

Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Fatty liver disease and Severe Insulin Resistance

Osteoporosis, Endocrine disorders and Endocrine tumours

Endocrine signals and biomarkers of systemic disease

Latest News

Cambridge Professor Stephen O’Rahilly honoured with the Berthold Medal for work in Endocrinology

Cambridge professor receives top award for outstanding research in endocrinology

Researcher awarded prestigious Academy of Medical Sciences Fellowship

Cambridge-led study discovers cause of pregnancy sickness – and potential treatment

Prestigious laureate award for Theme Lead Prof Farooqi

Obesity accelerates loss of COVID-19 vaccination immunity, study finds

NICE recommends Cambridge-developed ‘artificial pancreas’ for use on NHS for management of type 1 diabetes

Artificial pancreas successfully trialled for use by type 2 diabetes patients

Professor Krishna Chatterjee awarded a CBE

Cambridge researchers awarded Fellow status

Artificial pancreas proves ‘life-changing’ for very young children with type 1 diabetes and their families

New research shows how our brain uses nutritional state to control growth and age at puberty