Metabolic endotoxemia as a mediator of insulin resistance and diabetes in obese African women

Modou's research interests focus on the epidemiology and prevention of cardiovascular disease. As part of his Fellowship, he aims to identify which is the most likely mechanism by which metabolic endotoxemia leads to insulin resistance and diabetes in obese African women: paracellular leakage through a damaged gut wall; fat-mediated post-prandial chylomicron-associated transfer; or adipose tissue sequestration of lipopolysaccharide leading to macrophage chemotraction and inflammation. The findings are expected to point towards novel preventative and/or therapeutic strategies.

This grant was awarded under the scheme's previous name of Master's Fellowships in Public Health and Tropical Medicine.