The INDICO-II Study – Effects of body composition and dietary improvement on cell membrane dynamics and their relationship with the development of type II diabetes

About the Project

The InDiCo Study (Inflammation, Diets, Body Composition) is a pre-clinical study currently conducted at the University of Worcester. The study investigates links between dietary habits, biomarkers of cell function, and body composition. More information about the study can be found here: The InDiCo Study.

The InDiCo-II study builds on the findings of the original InDiCo study, focusing specifically on how dietary habits and body composition modulate the onset of type II diabetes.

In the UK, one in ten people over the age of 40 are currently living with a type II diabetes diagnosis [1]. The disease is metabolically damaging, reduces quality of life, and shortens life expectancy [2–5]. Poor diet represents a significant burden, costing the NHS £10 billion annually, and society in general an additional £27 billion. Dietary risks remain among the largest contributors to the development of chronic metabolic diseases, including type II diabetes [6].

Our research aims to explore the metabolic changes associated with dietary improvements in individuals at risk of developing type II diabetes. The goal is to better understand how dietary interventions can reduce disease risk.

This project includes a pre-clinical component in which the PhD candidate will work directly with healthy adults at risk of type II diabetes. The candidate will collect body composition data and blood samples from consenting participants. Full training will be provided.

Applications are welcome from nutritionists, dietitians, clinical biochemists, or biomedical scientists.

Supervisory team

This project is led by Dr Allain Bueno and by Dr Emma Edwards at the School of Sciences and the Environment. International collaborators from Spain and Brazil will also be involved in the research.

• Director of Studies: Dr Allain Bueno
• Supervisors: Dr Emma Edwards
• Research Group: Worcester Biomedical Research Group (WBRG)

Additional costs

Given that this is a laboratory-based project, bench fees will apply to cover the procurement of materials essential to delivering the research objectives. This will include consumables for the handling and processing of blood samples.

Application Process

To begin the application process please go to: https://www.worc.ac.uk/research/research-degrees/applying-for-a-phd/.

The Interview

All successful applicants will be offered an interview with the proposed Supervisory Team. You will be contacted by a member of the Doctoral School Team to find a suitable date. Interviews can be conducted in person or over Microsoft Teams.

For further information or an informal discussion on this project, please contact Dr Allain Bueno (a.bueno@worc.ac.uk)