Diabetes and Obesity Research Network (DORN)
Overview
The Diabetes and Obesity Research Network (DORN) is a multi-disciplinary, multi-organisational network of over 160 active researchers (clinical, laboratory, academic etc.) and lay members based in the North West of England. DORN brings together researchers from across the North West to look at diabetes and obesity and what can be done to tackle these diseases. The network was launched in December 2005.
DORN's aims are:
- To bring together researchers, clinicians, policy makers, health professionals and patients, to share research interests, expertise and ideas
- Encourage collaborative working between different disciplines that can lead to joint research proposals
- Increase research capacity by:
- Working with new partners across the University, NHS and local authorities
- Running a network for postgraduates/early career researchers
- Disseminate the work of the network nationally and internationally extending partnerships with leading researchers abroad
- Develop partnerships with the NHS and other service providers to ensure the policy and practical outputs of Research and Development outputs
Background
Obesity and diabetes have multiple causes and multiple treatment options. This complexity means that an integrated and co-ordinated approach to research is needed. This involves investigators from a range of disciplines and involving all potential healthcare solutions along with providers and other stakeholders which all helps to improve patient care.
DORN was formed because the North West of England has one of the highest rates of diabetes in the country and currently has the highest rate of heart disease and obesity in the country. Researchers recognise that these diseases have multiple causes and multiple treatment options which is why research needs to be co-ordinated and involve investigators from a range of disciplines. This helps to find potential healthcare solutions and improvements in the quality of patient care and health outcomes for people with diabetes.
The main research areas in DORN include:
- Appetite regulation/diet and digestion
- Delivery of care and other management issues
- Diabetes and Cardiovascular disease including links between glucose tolerance and arterial stiffness and insulin resistance with CV risk
- Diabetes complications both microvascular and macrovascular including using corneal confocal microscopy as a surrogate fore neuropathy; healing of diabetic wounds, foot ulcers
- Distribution of body fat and Cardiovascular risk
- Epidemiology and bioinformatics
- Improving pregnancy outcomes in diabetes
- Islet cell biology/Insulin action and resistance
- Psychological aspects – including eating disorders, personal models in diabetes and cystic fibrosis
Lead for the Network is:
- Dr Lucinda Summers
Associate Director, NIHR North West Diabetes Local Research Network
Consulatant in Bariatric Medicine, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust
Co-theme lead for Diabetes in NIHR CLAHRC for Greater Manchester
Membership and Getting Involved
There are over 160 members in DORN’s researchers, clinicians, healthcare staff and patients/public. We are also always on the lookout for patients to help advise DORN members on their research to ensure it is of benefit for patients. DORN members are based at some of the North West’s leading health and research organisations, including:
- The University of Manchester
- The University of Liverpool
- The University of Salford
- Many North West NHS Trusts
- NIHR North West Diabetes Local Research Network
- NIHR Greater Manchester Comprehensive Local Research Network
- NIHR Cheshire and Merseyside Comprehensive Local Research Network
- NIHR Cumbria and Lancashire Comprehensive Local Research Network
DORN’s membership gives you access to specialists to discuss potential research and any research ideas. We can also give you advice on all areas of research from writing a research grant proposal to how to design your study. We can also put you in touch with patients and healthcare staff to make sure your research is well designed.
We wish to build on existing strengths and develop a creative synergy between different disciplines leading to new collaborations. If you are interested in becoming a network member please complete the following form:
- DORN Member Interest Form (Word, 44kb)
or contact:
- rebecca.l.jones@manchester.ac.uk (Co-ordinator, Institute of Health Sciences)
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