Friday 11 September 2015 10:46am
Associate Professor Tony Merriman, in conjunction with the Auckland-based Maurice Wilkins Centre, will co-direct a programme of research aiming to identify genes that predispose New Zealanders to obesity and type-2 diabetes.
Professor Merriman says that his experience in studying the genetics of gout suggests that this study has a high chance of finding important new information that may be clinically relevant.
Dr Giles Yeo, an obesity researcher visiting from the University of Cambridge, and presenter of a BBC documentary on genetics and diet, supports the study. He says obesity is influenced by your genetics:
"Genetic predisposition is like being dealt a good or bad poker hand. Either could win or lose. How you play your hand in genetics is your lifestyle."
Further information
- University of Otago has key role in obesity genes study, ODT, 1 September, 2015
- Why are so many Kiwis obese? NZ Herald, 1 September, 2015
