research activities
The insulin-like growth factors, together with insulin, are fundamental, nutritionally-dependent regulators of growth and metabolism. Many of the major chronic illnesses that are an increasing burden to our health services are far less prevalent throughout large regions of the world and have been linked to a Western diet/lifestyle. We have been investigating the biology of the IGFs and related factors and how they may mediate the effects of nutrition on chronic illness; with studies from cell biology to translational clinical investigations to population epidemiology. We have focused on the major epithelial cancers and on obesity and more recently on interactions between these two conditions.
Research Interests
IGFs & Cancer
Obesity and Metabolism
IGFs - Lifecourse Epidemiology
Breast Cancer