Amino acids as nutrients - the molecular basis of amino acid absorption in kidney and intestine. Nutrition is a critical factor for well being and health. This is highlighted by the increase in frequency of type II diabetes and the obesity problem that all societies with a western diet face. Most studies in nutrition focus on fat and carbohydrates because of their direct involvement in obesity and diabetes. Proteins and the resulting peptides and amino acids, however, form 10-15% of our nutritio ....Amino acids as nutrients - the molecular basis of amino acid absorption in kidney and intestine. Nutrition is a critical factor for well being and health. This is highlighted by the increase in frequency of type II diabetes and the obesity problem that all societies with a western diet face. Most studies in nutrition focus on fat and carbohydrates because of their direct involvement in obesity and diabetes. Proteins and the resulting peptides and amino acids, however, form 10-15% of our nutrition. At a time where protein-rich diets are recommended to fight obesity and diabetes, it is important to understand the basis of protein absorption and metabolism. This project investigates the mechanism and mediators of amino acid absorption in kidney and intestine. Read moreRead less
Early life overfeeding - mechanisms for programming obesity and long-term immune dysfunction. Early life overfeeding can lead to obesity and related changes in adulthood. With this study we will discover how overfeeding can permanently alter an animal's development so that its body weight and immune functions are dysregulated. The outcomes will facilitate appropriate design of animal experiments considering the impact of neonatal programming. They will also contribute to more efficient feeding p ....Early life overfeeding - mechanisms for programming obesity and long-term immune dysfunction. Early life overfeeding can lead to obesity and related changes in adulthood. With this study we will discover how overfeeding can permanently alter an animal's development so that its body weight and immune functions are dysregulated. The outcomes will facilitate appropriate design of animal experiments considering the impact of neonatal programming. They will also contribute to more efficient feeding protocols for meat production in agriculture and identify targets for risk management and for preventing and ameliorating early life overfeeding effects in humans. This investigation therefore has clear benefits to the social, economic, and health aspects of obesity and to basic science and agriculture.Read moreRead less
Food supply, diet and membrane lipids and the determination of metabolic rate. There are two types of polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6), which are both essential in the diet. This project will examine whether our current diet has a good balance of these two classes of fatty acids. It will examine the hypothesis that we do not have enough omega-3 polyunsaturates in our modern diet and that this imbalance has important consequences for metabolism and health. It will give insight in ....Food supply, diet and membrane lipids and the determination of metabolic rate. There are two types of polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6), which are both essential in the diet. This project will examine whether our current diet has a good balance of these two classes of fatty acids. It will examine the hypothesis that we do not have enough omega-3 polyunsaturates in our modern diet and that this imbalance has important consequences for metabolism and health. It will give insight into a relatively unappreciated cause of the current obesity epidemic and likely result in new strategies to combat this problem. It will have implications for other important health issues (such as depression) as well as for the food supply of Australia. Read moreRead less