Together with Ian Craddock, I will be leading the Data Capture theme within a new Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU) at the University of Bristol.
The new unit has received £23million research funding and will exploit the latest advances in genetics and digital data capture to improve understanding of how changes to lifestyle or environment, as well as pharmacological interventions, can reduce the risk of disease. The unit is jointly funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the University of Bristol and will launch on 1 June 2013.
The IEU will be directed by Professor George Davey Smith from Bristol’s School of Social and Community Medicine, and involves scientists from across the University representing disciplines including epidemiology, genetics, epigenetics, psychology, computer science, chemistry, mathematics and economic and social sciences. The unit will also capitalise on major University investments in new technologies that allow processing of large numbers of samples in unprecedented detail, with the aim of understanding the biological mechanisms underlying disease.
Some of this work will be carried out within the world-leading Children of the 90s study a long-term health research project already co-funded by the MRC, the Wellcome Trust and the University.
