We are in the midst of a global epidemic of obesity and diabetes affecting both adults and children. Cancer affects 1 in 3 of us and hormones influence tumour growth.
Endocrine research at the University of Birmingham addresses the role of hormones in obesity, diabetes, cancer, infertility and many other conditions to find new diagnostic tools and treatments that will make a difference.
Our research adopts a truly translational bench-to-bedside and bedside-to-bench approach. We use state-of-the-art molecular and cell biology techniques through to rodent models and the highest quality cutting edge metabolic research in patients. We use unparalleled clinical research facilities which lie immediately adjacent to our basic science laboratories and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Our strengths lie in understanding the causes of rare diseases such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia, adrenal insufficiency and premature puberty that exemplify mechanisms that are of importance in common diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and polycystic ovary syndrome, the leading cause of female infertility.
We lead on developing new biomarker and treatment tools for rare cancers including adrenal and thyroid cancer, which helps us to also achieve progress for common cancer, e.g. breast and prostate. We are at the forefront of hormone research, unravelling the actions of glucocortiocids and sex steroids and their role in human disease.
Our world-leading researchers work with collaborative networks of clinicians and scientists across the globe to understand the mechanisms that underlie endocrine disease and to identify new targets for treatment strategies that will have significant benefits to patients. Hormones are the master communicators interacting with all cells in the body; deciphering their language provides us with powerful tools for combating disease.