Metabolism in Molecular Medicine

Metabolism encompasses the biochemical reactions that occur within our body to sustain life by giving us energy and allowing us to make the components of cells and tissues. Different cell types and organs in the body have their own metabolic programmes, and correct regulation of metabolism is critical to maintain health.

Why is metabolism important for medical research?

Research is converging on the idea that control of cell function and fate requires not only genetic regulation, but is also directed by changes in metabolism.

Many clinical conditions can be linked to metabolic dysfunction that may be due to dietary changes, ageing, inflammation, infection or cancer. Metabolism analysis is vital to provide a full picture of the process of disease, and offers new opportunities for treatments.

Advances in our research could lead to better treatments for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, chronic inflammatory disorders, and fatty liver disease.

bringing together fields and approaches

This cross-cutting research theme brings together researchers, new research techniques and expertise from across RDM who are oriented around a shared interest in metabolism. It offers opportunities to form new collaborations, attract funding, bring in new infrastructure support, and energise research activities in this fundamentally important area.

The research theme incorporates basic and clinical science, in fields including immunology and haematopoiesis, heart disease, diabetes and endocrine disorders. We use many different technical approaches, from molecular mechanisms of metabolic pathways that go wrong in diseases to use of state-of-the-art MRI to track metabolism in real time in patients.