Shining a light on the un-common to identify novel health risk-factors

Project Code MRCPHS25Br Nivard Research Theme Population Health Sciences Project Summary Download Summary Complex traits such as body mass index and height are influenced by a mixture of genetic and environmental factors. By first predicting what an individual’s BMI or…

Using diverse cohorts, methods and novel measures to understand the relationship between diet, physical activity and health outcomes

Project Code MRCPHS25Br Munafò Research Theme Population Health Sciences Project Summary Download Summary Certain aspects of diet (e.g., high salt intake) and lower physical activity are known to cause poorer health outcomes. However, the impacts of other specific food types…

Uncovering the role of epigenetics in modifying disease risk

Project Code MRCPHS25Br Min Research Theme Population Health Sciences Project Summary Download Summary Genetic and environmental factors influencing our health outcomes. Independent effects of genetic and environmental factors on diseases are well known but studies where both genes and environment…

Under pressure: Investigating the role of tissue density and mechanics in breast cancer development

Project Code MRCPHS25Br Lloyd-Lewis Research Theme Cross-CuttingInfection, Immunity, Antimicrobial Resistance and RepairNeuroscience and Mental HealthPopulation Health Sciences Project Summary Download Summary A high breast mammographic density is a major risk factor for breast cancer, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain…

Automating knowledge synthesis in biomedical literature using AI and Large Language Models

Project Code MRCPHS25Br Liu Research Theme Population Health Sciences Project Summary Download Summary There are millions of new scientific findings published every year, and the evidence they contain vary by their study designs and analysis methods (e.g. randomised trials, Mendelian…

Developing and testing novel methods to estimate prevalence of methamphetamine and cocaine dependence

Project Code MRCPHS25Br JonesH Research Theme Population Health Sciences Project Summary Download Summary Drug-related harm from illegal supplies of drugs is changing, including a rise in deaths associated with stimulants in many countries. Estimates of the number of people dependent…

Measurement of mental health in ethnically and geographically diverse populations

Project Code MRCPHS25Br Howe Research Theme Population Health Sciences Project Summary Download Summary Many tools to assess mental health were developed based on behaviours and feelings in white western populations. 18% of the UK population belong to Black, Asian, mixed,…

Characterising the role of inflammation in the development of multiple myeloma

Project Code MRCPHS25Br Goudswaard Research Theme Population Health Sciences Project Summary Download Summary Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable blood cancer, caused by the proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow. The link between chronic inflammation and the development…

Optimising uptake and personalisation of digital health interventions for under-served groups: a case study with the Drink Less app

Project Code MRCPHS25Br Garnett Research Theme Population Health Sciences Project Summary Download Summary Digital interventions can play a large role in improving public health but we need to boost their uptake and effectiveness among under-served groups (e.g., people experiencing homelessness).…

Use of network analysis to understand the molecular footprint of body mass index

Project Code MRCPHS25Br Corbin Research Theme Population Health Sciences Project Summary Download Summary This project aims to better understand obesity, a disease whose prevalence continues to rise worldwide despite local, national and international strategies to tackle the epidemic. Adiposity, measured…