Professor Susan Ozanne

Developmental programming of cardiovascular and metabolic disease

The major research aims of my laboratory are to understand the mechanisms by which suboptimal growth and nutrition in early life lead to increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and premature death. This concept is terms the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease. Our goal is to use the understanding gained from mechanistic studies to develop rational intervention strategies.

To achieve our aims, we incorporate the study of both rodent models and human biopsy material (including muscle, adipose tissue and placenta) as well as studies in cell culture. The parallel approach of studies in humans and animal models has enabled us to define the fundamental molecular processes that are conserved between species and underpin developmental programming. This involves the study of changes in the transcriptome, proteome, epigenome and mitochondrial function.

A particular research interest at the moment is to understand how gestational diabetes and obesity during pregnancy impacts on the short and long-term cardio-metabolic health of the offspring. This is a global concern as in many populations over half of women and either obese or overweight during pregnancy and therefore urgent action is needed to minimise the transmission of poor cardio-metabolic health from mother to child.

TWITTER:  @ozannelab