Research: Age-related diseases
Investigating age-related diseases and the extent to which they are caused by the effects of ageing.
About
About our research
Ageing is accompanied by abdominal obesity and excessive visceral fat, insulin resistance and an increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines.
This is subsequently linked to the development of serious chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, cancer, liver disease and psychiatric diseases including depression.
However, association is not equal to causation and ageing and age-associated chronic diseases are not inextricably linked processes.
Our research investigates how age-related changes are involved in the risk of age-related diseases.
Diabetes
It is thought that that insulin resistance increases with age due to increased adiposity, changes in dietary habits and reduced physical activity together with molecular mechanisms of ageing.
For example, we study advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in the development of diabetes and related complications such as diabetic retinopathy. We also investigate substances that have antioxidant properties, such as aged garlic extract, that can prevent the formation of AGEs.
Staff
Lead researcher
Metabolic
Metabolic and gastrointestinal diseases
Ageing is an important risk factor for metabolic and gastrointestinal disorders. We study the interaction of food or nutrient ingestion and exercise on gastrointestinal function and appetite regulation in humans.
We are also interested in the effect of nutrient ingestion and exercise in gastrointestinal disease. We perform intervention studies on human participants in the laboratory and in applied settings.
Staff
Lead researchers
Mental health
Mental health
We work on identifying neuronal, immune and endocrine pathways regulated through genetic and epigenetic mechanisms. These are important in linking environmental risk factors to the development of stress-related diseases and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Our research focuses on human cohorts and animal models, allowing us to study the impacts of stress and the development of mental health disorders.
Staff
Lead researcher
Cancer
Cancer
Cancer involves uncontrolled cell division caused by a series of mutations in the genes of proteins that regulate the cell cycle. Using in vitro cell systems we study the role of cell signalling cascades in cancer cell models, genes involved in tuberous sclerosis and transcription factors p63 and p53.
Staff
Lead researchers
Contact
Contact us
You can contact individual members of the team through their staff profiles.
For general enquiries about the ageing and lifelong health research theme, you can contact research lead Dr Chris Murgatroyd.