The faculty and students of the department are
continuously engaged in a diverse range of scientific research projects.
Current studies include:
-
Role of copper in immunocompetence with emphasis on T cell activation
and macrophage function; regulation of iron absorption using human intestinal
cell line as model; digestion and absorption of carotenoids and lipophilic
vitamins.
-
The role of specific proteins in the regulation
of intestinal calcium and iron absorption using a cell culture
system (the human colonic carcinoma cell line, Caco-2). The approach is to
insert fusion genes into the Caco-2 cells that over- and under-express proteins
that are proposed to be essential for the specific, regulated transport of
calcium or iron across the absorptive enterocyte. Proteins include: (for
calcium) calbindin D9K, the vitamin D receptor, the retinoid X receptor subtypes,
(for iron) ferritin H and L chains.
-
Effects of aging on neutrophil function. Nutrition assessment of frail
elderly and their caregivers.
-
Development and testing of TQM model of U.S. school food services;
implementation of U.S. Dietary Guidelines; impact of universal breakfast
on student performance; effect of food production system on employee and
customer satisfaction with foods served for school; use of multimedia technology
to enhance effectiveness of education and training; effect of leadership
style on strategic planning decisions.
-
Lifestyle risk factors for CHD and hypertension; infant mortality
trends and associated factors.
-
Molecular mechanisms underlying steroid hormone synthesis and response.
-
Effects of exercise and diet on obesity and body composition; fitness
and prevention of chronic disease.
-
Mammalian reproductive physiology and energetics; behavior; chemical
senses, environmental estrogens.
-
Redox regulation of transcription factors and gene expression; flavonoids,
heat shock (stress) proteins; nitric oxide, and apoptosis; phytochemicals
and cancer chemoprevention; tumor suppressor genes; mechanisms of killing
cancer cells with phytonutrients.
-
Nutrition and women's health with emphasis on nutrient needs during
lactation; nutrition and exercise: assessment of energy intake and expenditure.
-
Obesity; regulation of fat cell growth and metabolism; gender and
race differences in mitogenic activity of human adipocytes.
-
Theory-building in nutrition education using qualitative and quantitative
methodology; consumer decision making and food purchase behavior, especially
by individuals with chronic diseases; principles for developing and evaluating
nutrition interventions for individuals, groups and communities.
-
Paleopathological and bone chemistry analysis of a pre-Columbian Caribbean
population; multidimensional scaling analysis of elemental hair data; effects
of hormones and bone remodeling on tissue concentrations of a nonhuman primate.
-
Effect of histidine intake on carnosine and protein metabolism in
human liver cells (HepG2); effect of histidine intake on tissue zinc absorption
and utilization.
-
Hunger issues in North Carolina; nutritional risk of low income
populations.
-
Use of genetic knockout mice to study mechanisms and regulators of
mineral metabolism.
Copyright©1997
The University of North Carolina
at Greensboro
This site best viewed with
Netscape 3.0 and above or
MS Internet Explorer 3.0 or
above |
