Latest News
We would like to keep our patients, families and professionals up to date with the latest developments in our research.
We may sometimes highlight particular “news reports” that may appear in the media, as there may be general points that are worth emphasising or challenging.
Apr 2015
Facebook - MC4R Group
Exciting news: we are now on Facebook!
One of our MC4R patients has set up a MC4R patient and family support group. It is a 'Private' group so if you are interested, you will have to request to join the group.
Mar 2015
Article in Scientific Journal Cell
Professor Farooqi and Dr Agatha van der Klaauw have written a review article on obesity that has been published in the scientific journal Cell (click here to view).
Mar 2015
Team Success
Recently, Agatha van der Klaauw (Wellcome Trust Clinical Fellow) represented our team at the Academy of Medical Sciences Spring Meeting for Clinician Scientists in Training
Jan 2015
Winter Newsletter Out Now
Our Winter 2014/15 newsletter is out now. You can read it online by visiting our Newsletters page, or subscribe by email to have it sent to you.
Dec 2014
Your Gene - MC4R
The first of a series of leaflets giving more detailed information about specific genes is now available (click here to read 'Your Gene - MC4R').
Dec 2014
Leptin Regulates Blood Pressure
Researchers from the University of Cambridge and Monash University, Australia, have discovered that leptin, a hormone that regulates the amount of fat stored in the body, also affects the increase in blood pressure that comes with weight gain (click here to read).
July 2014
Summer Newsletter Out Now
Our Summer 2014 newsletter is out now. You can read it online by visiting our Newsletters page, or subscribe by email to have it sent to you.
June 2014
Patient Information Leaflet
We invite our patients and families to give us your comments on the first version of our new "Patient Information Leaflet" (click here to view).
November 2013
GOOS Winter Newsletter Out Now!
The latest edition of the GOOS newsletter is now available. You can find it online at our Newsletters page, where you can also subscribe for future editions.
Oct 2013
New Genetic Cause of Severe Obesity Discovered
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have discovered a novel genetic cause of severe obesity which, although relatively rare, demonstrates for the first time that genes can reduce basal metabolic rate – how the body burns calories (see video clip here).
June 2013
New Obesity Gene Discovered
Researchers from the GOOS team and Boston Children’s Hospital have discovered a genetic cause of severe obesity which, although rare, raises new questions about weight gain and energy use.
June 2013
GOOS on the Today Programme
Researchers in Cambridge have recently received £24 million to work on the causes and health consequences of weight problems and develop new approaches to prevent and treat conditions such as diabetes.
April 2013
Would You Like To Help Our Research?
We are currently running an ad campaign on Heart FM to recruit new volunteers to our studies. Find out more about all our studies and how you can get involved here.
February 2013
GOOS Bake Sale Is A Sweet Success!
Back in December the talented bakers of the GOOS team held a bake sale to raise money for future GOOS projects, like our patient support day. We were able to raise over £200!
December 2012
GOOS Winter Newsletter Now Available
We've just released our second newsletter. Find out what we've acheived in 2012 and what we've got planned for 2013, and how you can help.
December 2012
New Links Found Between SH2B1 and Obesity
We have recently discovered that defects in the SH2B1 gene can cause weight gain from a young age. SH2B1 is an adaptor molecule through which hormones such as leptin and insulin send signals from the bloodstream into target tissues such as neurons in the brain.
October 2012
New Job Opportunities Available
We're looking for new people to join the GOOS team. Find out more about our latest vacancies and how you can apply.
July 2012
GOOS Summer newsletter out now!
We are in the process of sending out our first newsletter. Find out what we are doing and how you can get involved.
May 2012
Professor Farooqi receives prestigious award
Professor Farooqi, who leads the GOOS study, has
been awarded the prestigious European Journal of Endocrinology Prize 2012.
FEBRUARY 2012
GOOS website
The GOOS website goes live providing a forum for exchange of information and ideas and encouraging research into obesity