Cookies: How we use information on our website:

We use cookies on our website to make it clear, useful and reliable.In order to achieve this and to provide certain personalised features we store a small amount of data about you. To learn more visit Cookies: How we use the information on our website. By navigating from the front page to other sections of our website, you are consenting to information being stored.

Accept Cookies

EDGI UK collaborating with the Broad Institute to sequence exomes of participants with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa

EDGI UK and BRoad Institute logos

The NIHR BioResource Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative UK (EDGI UK) is now collaborating with the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, a research organisation in the USA that convenes a community of researchers from across many disciplines and partner institutions.

As part of this collaboration, the Broad Institue will sequence the exomes (coding sections of genes) of NIHR BioResource EDGI UK participants diagnosed with eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

Once the DNA samples are received, the Broad Institute will use a sequencing method called the Blended Exome Genome strategy to identify variations in parts of genes that code for proteins (exons). They will analyse these sequences from multiple cohorts to identify rare genetic variants linked with eating disorder symptoms, to ultimately improve our understanding of the biological foundations of anorexia, atypical anorexia, bulimia, and atypical bulimia.

The results will be shared via rapid release to accelerate research globally.

Professor Gerome Breen, the Chief Investigator of NIHR BioResource EDGI UK said: 

"This UK-US partnership will use cutting-edge sequencing technology to analyse rare genetic variants across multiple cohorts. This will deepen our understanding of the genetic architecture of eating disorders, and ultimately the biological mechanisms underlying anorexia, atypical anorexia, bulimia, and atypical bulimia. The research will help to pave the way for more precise diagnostics and targeted treatments."

NIHR BioResource EDGI UK is the UK’s largest ever research project on eating disorders. Its aim is to collect the psychological, medical, and genetic information of 10,000 people with experience of any eating disorder. They welcome participants with any eating disorder, as every contribution helps us move closer to better therapies for all.


Tags: Eating Disorders & Obesity - BioResource -

By NIHR Maudsley BRC at 19 Mar 2025, 11:11 AM


Back to Blog List