W-3002 Multistate Project

Richard Bruno, PhD, PhDAssociate Professor

Human Nutrition
Ohio State University

Website: http://fst.osu.edu/caffre/people-Bruno.html

The underlying mission of the Bruno Laboratory is to define the mechanisms by which dietary antioxidants and phytonutrients contribute to optimal human health. Specifically, we are interested in elucidating the protective activities by which vitamin E (as α and γ-tocopherol) and dietary polyphenols such as green tea catechins, quercetin, and soy isoflavones exhibit their bioactivity and regulate the initiation and progression of obesity- and oxidative stress-triggered chronic diseases. Our laboratory is actively underway in evaluating these dietary agents as novel therapeutic strategies against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), disorders that are strongly associated with obesity and exacerbated oxidative stress. In support of these goals, controlled studies are routinely conducted in human and animal models of oxidative stress such as obesity, dietary supplementation/restriction, or cigarette smoking. Ultimately, our expectations are to 1) elucidate the mechanisms by which dietary antioxidants and phytonutrients regulate oxidative/nitrative stress biomarkers, 2) discover and validate novel biomarkers of oxidative stress, and 3) to work towards the implementation of novel dietary strategies for achieving optimal health in humans.

Elvira de Mejia, PhDProfessor

Food Sciences and Human Nutrition
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Website: http://nutrsci.illinois.edu/content/elvira-demejia

Molecular mechanisms of chemoprevention of bioactive food components, mainly proteins and flavonoids, and their safety.  We study food components with health benefits; analysis, characterization and mechanism of action of antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic compounds in foods (legumes, oilseeds and vegetables). We currently are working with bioactive proteins in different legumes. Our research group investigates the role of processing on the presence, concentration and physicochemical characteristics of proteins with biological potential against transformed human cells as well as their safety, such as allergenic potential. We also are studying the health benefits of tea, in particular the molecular mechanisms underlying the biological effects of ethnic teas used in folk medicine to combat several disorders, including cancer. This scientific study will introduce new materials to improve human health.

Mark Failla, PhDAssociate Dean, EHE Research Office

Professor, Food Science & Technology
Ohio State University

Website: http://fic.osu.edu/members/directory/f/failla-mark.html

Our research team uses in vitro and in vivo models to investigate the gastrointestinal metabolism and efficiency of absorption of health-promoting compounds in plant foods and dietary supplements. We also are investigating the activities of these compounds in maintaining a healthy gastrointestinal tract. The planned Center will provide us with opportunities to further expand our collaborations with talented colleagues at OSU. Moreover, the trans-disciplinary emphasis of the Center creates a uniquely rich environment for the training of my students in the many areas for which I lack expertise and insight.

Norman Hord, PhD, MPH, RDAssociate Professor

School of Biological and Population Health Sciences
Oregon State University

Website: http://health.oregonstate.edu/people/hord-norman

Our research program investigates the interaction between epithelial and neuronal genotype and dietary factors in cancer risk. Specifically, we study the role of dietary factors in murine models of normal, preneoplastic and metastatic colon epithelial cells to assess their role on biological processes involved in cell number homeostasis and cross-talk with immune cells and products of adipose tissue. Two current projects study the effect of dietary constituents for the treatment and prevention of brain cancer and colon cancer, respectively.  We have a large collaborative study of the efficacy of the energy-restricted ketogenic diet in the treatment of the most prevalent form of brain cancer in adults, glioblastoma multiforme.  We study the mechanistic basis for the efficacy of the ketogenic diet in cell culture studies examining the regulation of energy pathways that render neurons and glial cells susceptible to ketosis-associated cell death.  In colon carcinogenesis, we seek to identify the transformation stage at which dietary nitrates and nitrites influence risk. To address these questions, we utilize murine colon carcinogenesis models that mimic colitis and polypoid etiologic pathways. Exposure to dietary nitrate and nitrite before or after establishment of preneoplastic lesions and after metastasis will provide insights into the beneficial or potentially harmful stage-specific effects of these components of vegetables and fruit.

Ji-Young Lee, PhDAssociate Professor of Molecular Nutrition

Department of Nutritional Sciences
University of Connecticut

Website: http://www.canr.uconn.edu/nutsci/nutsci/hpg/jyl.html

Dyslipidemia and chronic inflammation are major contributors to the development of obesity-associated metabolic disease such as cardiovascular disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes. My research focuses on the identification of molecular mediators that are involved in the crosstalk between lipid metabolism and inflammatory signaling pathways and on the elucidation of molecular mechanisms by which dietary factors, such as fatty acids, blue-green algae, astaxanthin and phytochemicals, play regulatory roles in the cholesterol metabolism and in the integration of lipid metabolism and inflammation. 

Edralin Lucas, PhDAssociate Professor

Nutritional Sciences and Analytical Chemistry
Oklahoma State University

Website: http://humansciences.okstate.edu/facultystaff/faculty-profile.php?FacID=102

Our research group investigates the potential for naturally occurring compounds in foods, their isolated components, or analogues that could be incorporated into the diet and prevent or reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as dyslipidemia, obesity, diabetes and inflammation. We are also exploring the role of these compounds in bone health. In our research, we utilize cell cultures and animal models to understand if and how bioactive food components can reduce these chronic conditions, and then apply the information learned to develop effective prevention strategies in humans. Currently, we have two clinical studies investigating the effect of freeze-dried mango on body composition in obese individuals and on blood glucose in prediabetics. We are also investigating the effects of mango and watermelon on skeletal health in ovariectomized mice. Other functional foods that we are working on are wheat germ oil, bittermelon, and flaxseed. 

Barry Shane, PhDProfessor

Department of Nutritional Science & Toxicology
University of California – Berkeley

Website: http://nst.berkeley.edu/faculty/shane.html

The major research efforts of my laboratory are in the area of biochemical nutrition and, in particular, the control of one carbon metabolism. We investigate experimental nutrition problems at a basic molecular or cellular level to obtain a better understanding of factors that influence nutritional requirements and how this varies among the population. We study how genetic variation in the pathways of one carbon metabolism influence chronic disease risk and susceptibility to birth defects using humans and genetically modified animal models.

Jennifer Teske, PhDAssistant Professor

Department of Nutrition
University of Arizona

Website: http://cals.arizona.edu/nutrition/

Neurobiological basis of sleep, physical activity and feeding as they relate to obesity and sleep disorders.;

Connie Weaver, PhDDistinguished Professor and Department Head

Department of Nutrition Science
Purdue University

Website: http://www.cfs.purdue.edu/fn/about/head.html

Her research interests include mineral bioavailability, calcium metabolism, and bone health. Dr. Weaver was appointed to the 2005 U.S. Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee and elected to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences in 2010.  She is Deputy Director of the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Center, Director of the Women’s Global Health Institute at Purdue, and past President of the American Society for Nutrition. She has published over 300 original research articles and 100 book chapters and reviews.