Nutritional Genetics & Environmental Factors in Disease
Nutrition is the most important of the environmental influences on gene expression. Changes in energy and nutrient supply have had a profound influence on recent genetic selection. Infectious diseases, especially malaria, have also influenced gene selection, and there is a strong interplay between nutrients and infections that is influenced by our genetic make-up.
Many studies attempt to define the main effects of either genes or nutrients on disease outcomes. Our research attempts to take the next step; namely to understand how nutrients and genes act together in determining growth, development and disease.
A key area of interest is the relationship between iron and genes that regulate iron metabolism in relation to the world’s three most important killer diseases – malaria, HIV and TB. Iron is at the centre of a battle-ground between the human host and its pathogens and, probably above all other micronutrients, is important in mediating infections. Excess iron can exacerbate many infections and for this reason it is difficult to design safe interventions aimed at correcting the very high levels of iron deficiency anaemia found in most poor nations. Overcoming this conundrum is an important part of our mission.
On-going studies:
