Professor Tim Spector
Professor of Genetic Epidemiology
- Head of Department, Department of Twin Research & Genetic Epidemiology
Contact details
Biography
I use the UK twins registry (TWINSUK) of 10,000 twins to pursue gene discovery in the common complex traits and diseases via genetic epidemiology. I study a wide variety of diseases from back pain to anxiety, snoring to sexuality. Our group focus on age related diseases such as CVD, metabolic traits, locomotor problems such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, cognitive function and eye disorders. We have genomewide scans and expression data on large numbers of the twins.
News
Three researchers shortlisted for Cancer Grand Challenges funding
Professor Tim Spector, Dr Sarah Berry and Dr Sheeba Irshad of King’s have been selected for the final stages of Cancer Grand Challenges as part of teams...
BBC One: King's academics highlight impact of ultra-processed food on health
Professor Tim Spector and Dr Sarah Berry from the Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine have stressed how ultra-processed food can impact on long-term health in...
Scientists identify potential for lifestyle changes to prevent and treat obesity
Weight loss surgery can profoundly reduce the levels of bile acid associated with higher appetite, as can taking fibre supplements but to a lesser degree.
Mediterranean diet benefits patients with advanced Melanoma
Eating a Mediterranean diet, rich in whole grains, nuts, fish and vegetables, is associated with an improved immunotherapy response in patients with melanoma,...
Long COVID risk less during Omicron compared to Delta
The Omicron variant is less likely to cause long COVID than the Delta variant, new research has found.
Minorities bore disproportionate mental health impact of pandemic
Racial and ethnic minorities had higher rates of depression and anxiety than white people during the COVID-19 pandemic, new research has found.
A third COVID-19 vaccine boosts waning immunity
A third dose of COVID-19 vaccine boosts vaccines effectiveness to levels higher than one month after the second dose in people over 55 and with one or more...
Symptoms of Omicron less severe than the Delta variant
People infected with Omicron are more likely to have a sore throat and less likely to experience loss of smell compared to Delta, a new study has found.
Pfizer vaccine reduces the risk of COVID-19 infection in children
A single dose of the Pfizer vaccine reduces the risk of COVID-19 infection in children, new research has found. Data also showed a single dose made infection...
Study finds potential predictor for perimenopause
A new study has found women ‘age’ significantly faster in the perimenopausal period, based on analysis of the IgG glycome. This finding indicates the...
Events
Spoon fed: a webinar with Tim Spector
Five years after the release of his groundbreaking book, The Diet Myth, Professor Tim Spector forces us to rethink our whole relationship with food. Join...
Please note: this event has passed.
Features
Spotlight on nutrition: Research into the impacts of our diets
From beans, to berries to new types of bread, our researchers have been doing a range of work to help us better understand how you are what you eat.
Rosalind Franklin at 100: How her legacy lives on
This weekend, July 25th, marks 100 years since the birth of Rosalind Franklin, one of history’s leading scientists. While working at King’s, Franklin famously...
Why one-size-fits-all diets don't work – new study
The largest nutritional study of its kind delves deep into why a one-size diet does not fit all
King's contributes to pandemic response
Staff and students from across the King’s community are supporting efforts to combat the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.
Coronavirus: how to keep your gut microbiome healthy to fight COVID-19
Professor Tim Spector offers advice on some ways you can strengthen your immune system.
Spotlight
ZOE COVID Study app: How King's researchers slowed the spread of COVID-19
On March 24th 2020, the ZOE COVID Symptom Study App was launched. Since then, it has more than 4 million users and is now the world’s largest ongoing study...
Spotlight on COVID: Tracking the symptoms
Professor Tim Spector discusses the new COVID Symptom Tracker app
News
Three researchers shortlisted for Cancer Grand Challenges funding
Professor Tim Spector, Dr Sarah Berry and Dr Sheeba Irshad of King’s have been selected for the final stages of Cancer Grand Challenges as part of teams...
BBC One: King's academics highlight impact of ultra-processed food on health
Professor Tim Spector and Dr Sarah Berry from the Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine have stressed how ultra-processed food can impact on long-term health in...
Scientists identify potential for lifestyle changes to prevent and treat obesity
Weight loss surgery can profoundly reduce the levels of bile acid associated with higher appetite, as can taking fibre supplements but to a lesser degree.
Mediterranean diet benefits patients with advanced Melanoma
Eating a Mediterranean diet, rich in whole grains, nuts, fish and vegetables, is associated with an improved immunotherapy response in patients with melanoma,...
Long COVID risk less during Omicron compared to Delta
The Omicron variant is less likely to cause long COVID than the Delta variant, new research has found.
Minorities bore disproportionate mental health impact of pandemic
Racial and ethnic minorities had higher rates of depression and anxiety than white people during the COVID-19 pandemic, new research has found.
A third COVID-19 vaccine boosts waning immunity
A third dose of COVID-19 vaccine boosts vaccines effectiveness to levels higher than one month after the second dose in people over 55 and with one or more...
Symptoms of Omicron less severe than the Delta variant
People infected with Omicron are more likely to have a sore throat and less likely to experience loss of smell compared to Delta, a new study has found.
Pfizer vaccine reduces the risk of COVID-19 infection in children
A single dose of the Pfizer vaccine reduces the risk of COVID-19 infection in children, new research has found. Data also showed a single dose made infection...
Study finds potential predictor for perimenopause
A new study has found women ‘age’ significantly faster in the perimenopausal period, based on analysis of the IgG glycome. This finding indicates the...
Events
Spoon fed: a webinar with Tim Spector
Five years after the release of his groundbreaking book, The Diet Myth, Professor Tim Spector forces us to rethink our whole relationship with food. Join...
Please note: this event has passed.
Features
Spotlight on nutrition: Research into the impacts of our diets
From beans, to berries to new types of bread, our researchers have been doing a range of work to help us better understand how you are what you eat.
Rosalind Franklin at 100: How her legacy lives on
This weekend, July 25th, marks 100 years since the birth of Rosalind Franklin, one of history’s leading scientists. While working at King’s, Franklin famously...
Why one-size-fits-all diets don't work – new study
The largest nutritional study of its kind delves deep into why a one-size diet does not fit all
King's contributes to pandemic response
Staff and students from across the King’s community are supporting efforts to combat the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.
Coronavirus: how to keep your gut microbiome healthy to fight COVID-19
Professor Tim Spector offers advice on some ways you can strengthen your immune system.
Spotlight
ZOE COVID Study app: How King's researchers slowed the spread of COVID-19
On March 24th 2020, the ZOE COVID Symptom Study App was launched. Since then, it has more than 4 million users and is now the world’s largest ongoing study...
Spotlight on COVID: Tracking the symptoms
Professor Tim Spector discusses the new COVID Symptom Tracker app