Role of clock genes in a mouse model for developmental origins of the metabolic syndrome
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Southampton
Department Name: Development Origin of Health and Disease
Abstract
Daily, or circadian, rhythms are important in all organisms, including humans. Circadian rhythms influence nearly all aspects of physiology and behaviour, including our sleep-wake cycles, activity, feeding behaviour, cardiovascular function, body temperature and metabolism. These rhythms are generated within the body and the mechanisms that control them takes form while the baby is still in the mother's womb. Studies have shown that the diet of the mother during pregnancy is important in maintaining the health of her offspring and may also influence their susceptibility to developing obesity, diabetes and heart disease later in life. If the mother eats a healthy diet during pregnancy, one would expect the development of normal circadian rhythms of the baby's body function and metabolism, enabling the baby to cope with a healthy diet in childhood and adulthood. The risk of the person developing obesity, diabetes and heart disease later in life is very low. However, if the mother eats an unhealthy diet during pregnancy it might result in the abnormal development of circadian rhythms of body function and metabolism. This leads to disruption in sleep and activity patterns and inefficient processing of the food the baby eats. The baby is at risk of becoming heavier and fatter and will have high blood pressure in adulthood. If the baby is not brought up after birth and throughout childhood to eat a healthy diet, but eats instead a diet rich in fat, the baby's already disrupted circadian rhythms of metabolism is now not able to cope with this diet. This person is likely to become obese and risk of adult diabetes and heart disease later in life increases considerably. It is our intention of undertaking this study using a rodent model. Only by choosing an animal model is it possible to study this phenomenon, because it is necessary to change both the pre- and post natal diets and it would be unethical to undertake these changes in pregnant mothers and their babies.
Technical Summary
This proposal aims to identify key molecular clock and clock-controlled mechanisms underlying prenatal induction of phenotypic susceptibility to the metabolic syndrome. We will use a mouse model, where offspring prenatally exposed to a high fat nutritional environment develop the metabolic syndrome phenotype in adulthood following post-weaning high-fat feeding. We are suggesting that a maternal diet during pregnancy that is high in fat can adversely affect the development of the offspring's circadian clock system in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and in peripheral tissues, resulting in altered rhythmic expression and function of clock and clock-controlled genes involved in the regulation of adipogenesis, metabolism and cardiovascular function. If these offspring are subsequently fed the same high fat diet, their physiology will be unable to respond appropriately making them particularly susceptible to developing metabolic To address our aim we will look at circadian metabolic, hormonal and activity patterns in mouse offspring from high fat fed dams and examine the effects of a post-weaning high fat feeding. We will then measure the 24h mRNA expression pattern of clock and clock-controlled genes, and other 'candidate' genes linked to both circadian and metabolic/cardiovascular/adipocyte function in neonate and adult offspring SCN and peripheral tissues which are key organelles to the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome. We will also examine whether an epigenetic mechanism, i.e. modification of rhythmic histone acetylation of clock-associated genes and RNA polymerase binding, is involved in the aberration and phase-shift in the circadian timing system and maladapted responses to a post-weaning high fat diet. Our proposed study will provide the scientific basis for understanding how an unhealthy diet in early life contributes to metabolic syndrome later in life. Results from this study will have direct relevance to humans.
Publications
D Bruce K
(2011)
Identification of Robust Cardiac Reference Genes in a Mouse Model of Cardiometabolic Disease
in Journal of Clinical & Experimental Cardiology
Elahi M
(2013)
Long-Term Statin Administration to Dams on High-Fat Diet Protects Not Only Them but Also Their Offspring from Cardiovascular Risk
in Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism
Green Lucy
(2015)
Interaction of Pre-natal and Post-Weaning High Fat Diet on Adult Mouse Skeletal Muscle Vitamin D Homeostasis
in FASEB JOURNAL
Jones Lisa
(2015)
Sex-specific Effects of Prenatal and Post-weaning High Fat Diet on Adult Mouse Offspring Skeletal Muscle Contraction
in FASEB JOURNAL
Lanham S
(2015)
Maternal High Fat Diet Affects Offspring's Vitamin K-Dependent Proteins Expression Levels.
in PloS one
Lanham SA
(2014)
Maternal high-fat diet and offspring expression levels of vitamin K-dependent proteins.
in Endocrinology
Lanham SA
(2010)
Maternal high-fat diet: effects on offspring bone structure.
in Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA
Merkestein M
(2014)
Fetal programming of adipose tissue function: an evolutionary perspective
in Mammalian Genome
| Description | The 24 hour (circadian) patterns of many biological functions such as sleep, activity metabolism and blood pressure are controlled by a key network of genes in the brain called the circadian "clock genes". In the present BBSRC-funded study we have developed a novel use for our mouse model of developmental programming established here in Southampton, where increased dietary fat exposure (45% kcal fat) during early life results in the onset of cardiovascular and metabolic disorder in adulthood. Our data show that offspring from mothers fed a high fat diet exhibit altered patterns of circadian behaviour. Further examination of the offspring's metabolic tissues, including the liver, heart and the brain, has revealed arrhythmic expression of clock genes following exposure to maternal high fat nutrition during fetal development and/or postnatal high fat feeding, which may be linked to poor health outcomes. These changes have deleterious knock on effects for metabolism and cardiovascular function. Therefore, high fat induced changes may result in increased susceptibility to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Results from our work have suggested that proteins called Sirtuin, which regulate clock gene function, and are active in times of metabolic balance, are reduced following high fat exposure, and provide a possible mechanism for developmentally primed metabolic disease and the clock gene network. We have also shown the impact of an in-utero maternal high fat diet on the ovaries in female offspring. We have novel data showing maternal obesity during pregnancy significantly alters the numbers of maturing eggs in the ovaries of the adult female offspring and this is accompanied by the development of ovarian steatosis ('fatty' ovary) and reduction the in number of mature follicles in the ovaries. This might explain the reduced fertility in these animals, and highlights a possible mechanism explaining the link between human obesity and fertility. We have also shown presence of clock genes in the ovaries and expression levels were altered as a consequence of the in-utero and postnatal HF diet. We were therefore intrigued to find out whether in humans, clock genes are also express in reproductive tissues and whether they are linked to reproductive dysfunction. We have now shown that clock genes are expressed in the human endometrium, which we found to be altered in pathological conditions such in scarred peritoneal mesothelium and chronic pelvic pain. Data normalisation in real-time RT-PCR is a major step in gene quantification analysis. This involves the use of a stable endogenous control (reference gene) in the assay to correct for sample to sample variations in RT-PCR efficiency and errors in sample quantification that may have large effect on downstream analysis and scientific conclusion. Many studies do not employ sufficient reference selection strategies, and assume that reference expression does not alter with experimental intervention. We now show that tissue type, time of day collection of samples, and nutritional manipulations can impact on stability of reference genes. Thus we have highlighted the need for a strict selection strategy of the most stable reference gene(s) as a key step in RT-PCR quantification analysis. Our study therefore may provide mechanistic explanation that links obese pregnancy to increasing incidence of obesity and the metabolic syndrome, and fertility problems in future generations. It strengthens the importance of providing good nutrition during pregnancy to benefit both the mother and her offspring. |
| Exploitation Route | Our work has shown the important relationship between nutrition, metabolism and circadian rhythms. Our study therefore may provide mechanistic explanation that links obese pregnancy to increasing incidence of obesity and the metabolic syndrome, and fertility problems in future generations. It strengthens the importance of providing good nutrition during pregnancy to benefit both the mother and her offspring. Industrial collaboration was recently established with Cristal Delivery, a pharmaceutical company developing a new class of nanomedicine based on its proprietary polymeric technologies. We will use our mouse model for pre-clinical testing of the company's CriPec nanoparticles containing small molecules targeted at pathways that can alter or resynchronize clock activity and determine whether this reduces the offspring susceptibility or protects them to developing cardiometabolic pathologies. We have also been developing therapeutic strategies that are beneficial to both the obese pregnant mothers and the health outcomes in her offspring. We have been funded by Diabetes UK to examine the effect of treating obese diabetic pregnant mouse dams with metformin on the health outcome of the offspring in adulthood. This work is relevant to current MRC studies looking at the effect of metformin treatment to diabetic pregnant women on the health outcomes of her offspring. Our Diabetes UK study investigates possible mechanisms on the effect of metformin that is relevant to both humans and in animals. We have also linked up with colleagues from our Chemistry Department here at Southampton University, who developed compounds that can potentially regulate clock activity, with the aim of developing chronotherapeutic compounds. |
| Sectors | Education,Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology,Other |
| Description | Data normalisation in real-time RT-PCR is a major step in gene quantification analysis. This involves the use of a stable endogenous control (reference gene) in the assay to correct for sample-to-sample variations in RT-PCR efficiency and errors in sample quantification that may have a large effect on downstream analysis and scientific conclusion. Many studies do not employ sufficient reference selection strategies and assume that reference expression does not alter with experimental intervention. We now show that tissue type, time of day collection of samples, and nutritional manipulations can impact on the stability of reference genes, and thus highlighted the need for a strict selection strategy of the most stable reference gene(s) as a key step in RT-PCR quantification analysis. With an increasing trend in obesity during the childbearing age in humans, there is now a growing interest on how the metabolic status of the pregnant mother could have immediate and long term impact on the developing fetus and the offspring, respectively, and whether this contributes to increased susceptibility of the offspring to obesity and metabolic diseases in later life. Our study in mice, where we have shown that maternal obesity during pregnancy resulting in obesity and metabolic disorder in the offspring could be due to alteration in components of the circadian clock system particularly in organs and tissues that are involved in the regulation of metabolism, locomotor activity and feeding behaviour. Thus, our findings of a role of clock genes in the developmental programming of metabolic diseases in later life not only provide some mechanistic explanation for the observations found in humans but also offer a target for intervention strategies. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2017 |
| Sector | Education,Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Impact Types | Societal,Policy & public services |
| Description | Can metformin be used to treat pregnant diabetic mothers to reduce future risk to obesity and metabolic syndrome in their offspring? |
| Amount | £87,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 11/0004377 |
| Organisation | Diabetes UK |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2012 |
| End | 08/2015 |
| Description | Does maternal high fat diet lead to dementia? |
| Amount | £32,500 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | M273-F1-CD1 |
| Organisation | Rosetrees Trust |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2016 |
| End | 12/2017 |
| Description | High resolution 3D imaging for life sciences |
| Amount | £76,825 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | ARUK-EG2018B-005 |
| Organisation | Alzheimer's Research UK |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2018 |
| End | 08/2019 |
| Title | Identification of the most stable reference gene (housekeeping gene) to use in gene expression studies investigating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) |
| Description | Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common form of chronic liver disease in Western society. Comparative gene expression studies are beginning to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying NAFLD progression. We have previously shown that high fat diets during early life can prime non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in adulthood, through lipogenesis gene elevation. To generate accurate results in such studies, appropriate housekeeping genes (HKG) which are unaffected by disease processes, are used for data normalisation. However, there is little existing data to show the effects of NAFLD on HKG expression. The aim of the study was to identify the HKG in a mouse model of developmentally primed NAFLD and NASH, which maintains expression stability. We determined the expression stability of six candidates HKG (GAPDH, YWHAZ, B2M, EIF4A2, ACTB and CYC1) in a mouse model of developmentally primed NAFLD in both the day and night, using geNORM qBasePlus software. HKG expression differed across dietary groups and time of day. In the majority of treatment groups and time points the most stable gene was YWHAZ. Following high fat diet interventions CYC1 became notably unstable. Overall the effect of NAFLD and NASH on HKG expression was to maintain stability of YWHAZ, but destabilise CYC1 and EIF4A2. Our data clearly shows that HKG expression is affected by NAFLD severity and time of day sampling, highlighting the importance of suitable HKG gene selection. For comparative gene expression studies investigating NAFLD we would recommend use of YWHAZ as a robust, stably expressed HKG. |
| Type Of Material | Biological samples |
| Year Produced | 2012 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Researchers investigating the pathogenesis of diet induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are now made aware that in order to generate useful gene expression data, a constitutively expressed housekeeping gene (HKG) is required as an internal reference control, to correct for small anomalies in sample quantity that may have large effect on downstream analysis and scientific conclusion. Our data clearly shows that HKG expression is affected by NAFLD severity and time of day sampling, highlighting the importance of suitable HKG gene selection. For comparative gene expression studies investigating NAFLD we would recommend use of the gene YWHAZ as a robust, stably expressed HKG |
| URL | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22583519 |
| Title | Identifying suitable reference genes (Housekeeping genes) for qPCR work on suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) tissue samples in mice |
| Description | The endogenous timing system within the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus drives the cyclic expression of the clock molecules across the 24h day-night cycle controlling downstream molecular pathways and physiological processes. The developing fetal clock system is sensitive to the environment and physiology of the pregnant mother and as such disruption of this system could lead to altered physiology in the offspring. Characterizing the gene profiles of the endogenous molecular clock system by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction is dependent on normalization by appropriate housekeeping genes (HKGs). However, many HKGs commonly used as internal controls, although stably expressed under control conditions, can vary significantly in their expression under certain experimental conditions. Here we analyzed the expression of 10 classic HKG across the 24h light-dark cycle in the SCN of mouse offspring exposed to normal chow or a high fat diet during early development and in postnatal life. We found that the HKGs glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, beta actin and adenosine triphosphate synthase subunit to be the most stably expressed genes in the SCN regardless of diet or time within the 24h light-dark cycle, and are therefore suitable to be used as internal controls. However SCN samples collected during the light and dark periods did show differences in expression and as such the timing of collection should be considered when carrying out gene expression studies. |
| Type Of Material | Biological samples |
| Year Produced | 2014 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Researcher are made aware of the importance of validating gene expression studies; that normalizing the gene of interest using the geometric mean of multiple internal control genes increases the quality of the data. Researchers conducting qPCR work using samples of the mouse suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) can now use the reference genes that we have idetified to be the most stable regardless of diet or time within the 24 h light-dark cycle. |
| URL | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006899314007203 |
| Title | Development of appropriate normalization strategy for real-time PCR |
| Description | Quantitative real-time PCR provides a sensitive, specific and reproducible means of determining comparative gene mRNA expression profiles. However, an increasing number of reports have shown that RT-PCR data accuracy is highly dependent on appropriate normalization strategies. It is now recognized that expression of classic reference gene (RG) can vary across tissue type and experimental conditions. We therefore analysed the stability in expression of RGs using qBasePLUS software based on geNorm and qBase technology. From this a stability measure (M) was generated by geometric averaging of multiple target genes and mean pair-wise variation of a gene from all other target genes in a given sample. Genes with the lowest M values are deemed the most stable. |
| Type Of Material | Data analysis technique |
| Year Produced | 2011 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | This method has provided useful information for other researchers carrying out gene expression studies when choosing the appropriate reference genes. It is now widely employed and is beginning to be acknowledged as a requisite in any RT-PCR analysis. |
| Description | A small-molecule inhibitor of AICAR transformylase homodimerization as therapeutic treatment for obesity and type 2 diabetes |
| Organisation | University of Reading |
| Department | School of Biological Sciences Reading |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I have played a major role in conceiving the project and contributed in the study design, execution, analysis and critical discussion. I have also contributed to setting up the various mouse experiments and in the collection and analysis of data and samples. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funded the synthesis of small molecule inhibitor. Provided funding to set up the animal experimentations and characterisation of the metabolic phenotype of the mice. Collaborators also played a major role in conceiving the project and contributed in the study design, execution, analysis and critical discussion. |
| Impact | 1. This collaborator is multidisciplinary in the area of Chemistry and in Biology. 2. We published a scientific article from data generated for our study in 2015 in Chemical & Biology [Jul 23;22(7):838-48. doi: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2015.06.008. Epub 2015 Jul]. 3. The news article released by the University of Southampton generated a lot of media interest including the Washington Post, sciencedaily.com, sciencealert.com, the Daily Mail etc. |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | A small-molecule inhibitor of AICAR transformylase homodimerization as therapeutic treatment for obesity and type 2 diabetes |
| Organisation | University of Southampton |
| Department | Chemistry |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I have played a major role in conceiving the project and contributed in the study design, execution, analysis and critical discussion. I have also contributed to setting up the various mouse experiments and in the collection and analysis of data and samples. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funded the synthesis of small molecule inhibitor. Provided funding to set up the animal experimentations and characterisation of the metabolic phenotype of the mice. Collaborators also played a major role in conceiving the project and contributed in the study design, execution, analysis and critical discussion. |
| Impact | 1. This collaborator is multidisciplinary in the area of Chemistry and in Biology. 2. We published a scientific article from data generated for our study in 2015 in Chemical & Biology [Jul 23;22(7):838-48. doi: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2015.06.008. Epub 2015 Jul]. 3. The news article released by the University of Southampton generated a lot of media interest including the Washington Post, sciencedaily.com, sciencealert.com, the Daily Mail etc. |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | Biological Rhythms in Female Reproduction |
| Organisation | Princess Anne Hospital |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Hospitals |
| PI Contribution | I have played a major role in conceiving the project and contributed in the study design, execution, analysis and critical discussion. I have also contributed to setting up the various experiments and in the analysis of data and samples. Provided expertise and supervision to PhD student undertaking this research work. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Partner provided financial support and consumable money. Collaborators also played a major role in conceiving the project and contributed in the study design, execution, analysis and critical discussion. She has also played a key role in obtaining funds for a Clinical PhD studentship post for this project. |
| Impact | 1. A Clinical PhD student working on this project completed her PhD degree in 2018 2. We published 3 research article related to this topic: in 2017 in Scientific Reports [Nov 1;7(1):14857. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-07901-6]; in 2014 in Fertility & Sterility [Sep;102(3):899-907. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2014.06.015. Epub 2014 Jul 22]; and in 2013 in Human Reproduction [May;28(5):1348-53. doi: 10.1093/humrep/det013. Epub 2013 Feb 24] 3. We also had 2 conference abstracts: in 2017 in Human Reproduction [Vol 32 Suppl 1 Pages 306-306 Meeting Abstract: P-371] and in 2016 in Human Reproduction [Vol 31 Suppl 1 Pages 404-405 Meeting Abstract: P-639]. |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | Developmental Programming of adipogenesis |
| Organisation | University of Reading |
| Department | School of Biological Sciences Reading |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I have played a major role in conceiving the project and contributed in the study design, execution, analysis and critical discussion. I have also contributed to setting up the various mouse experiments and in the collection and analysis of data and samples. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Partner provided financial support and consumable money. Collaborator also played a major role in conceiving the project and contributed in the study design, execution, analysis and critical discussion. |
| Impact | 1. Collaborator used the preliminary data to apply for an MRC New Investigator Research Grant, with me named as collaborator. Subsequently, the collaborator was successful in obtaining funding (£512,486) from the MRC and the project commenced in 2016. 2. We published 2 review article on the subject matter in 2014 in Mammalia Genome (Oct;25(9-10):413-23. doi: 10.1007/s00335-014-9528-9. Epub 2014 Jun 27) and in Endocrinology (May;155(5):1573-88. doi: 10.1210/en.2013-2103. Epub 2014 Feb 26). 3. We have also published 3 research articles: in 2014 Eur J Nutr [Oct;53(7):1523-31. doi: 10.1007/s00394-014-0657-4. Epub 2014 Jan 31]; in 2018 in Nutrients [Nov 28;10(12). pii: E1832. doi: 10.3390/nu10121832]; in 2019 in Nutrients [Feb 27;11(3). pii: E495. doi: 10.3390/nu11030495]. |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | Role of the Timp3 and MMP genes in diet-induced adiposity |
| Organisation | Chinese University of Hong Kong |
| Department | Faculty of Medicine |
| Country | Hong Kong |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I have played a major role in conceiving the project and contributed in the study design, execution, analysis and critical discussion. I have also contributed to setting up the various mouse experiments and in the collection and analysis of data and samples. I also played a key role in obtaining funds for 2 PhD studentship post for this project. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Partners have provided financial support and consumable money. One of my collaborators also played a major role in conceiving the project and contributed in the study design, execution, analysis and critical discussion. She has also played a key role in obtaining funds for 2 PhD studentship post for this project. |
| Impact | We were awarded a Presidential Scholarship to part-fund 1 PhD student in 2018, which was matched by fundings from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. We also secured funding for another PhD student and consumable funding from the Government of Saudi Arabian Government. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Role of the Timp3 and MMP genes in diet-induced adiposity |
| Organisation | Government of Saudi Arabia |
| Country | Saudi Arabia |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | I have played a major role in conceiving the project and contributed in the study design, execution, analysis and critical discussion. I have also contributed to setting up the various mouse experiments and in the collection and analysis of data and samples. I also played a key role in obtaining funds for 2 PhD studentship post for this project. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Partners have provided financial support and consumable money. One of my collaborators also played a major role in conceiving the project and contributed in the study design, execution, analysis and critical discussion. She has also played a key role in obtaining funds for 2 PhD studentship post for this project. |
| Impact | We were awarded a Presidential Scholarship to part-fund 1 PhD student in 2018, which was matched by fundings from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. We also secured funding for another PhD student and consumable funding from the Government of Saudi Arabian Government. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Role of the Timp3 and MMP genes in diet-induced adiposity |
| Organisation | University of Southampton |
| Department | Ocean and Earth Science |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I have played a major role in conceiving the project and contributed in the study design, execution, analysis and critical discussion. I have also contributed to setting up the various mouse experiments and in the collection and analysis of data and samples. I also played a key role in obtaining funds for 2 PhD studentship post for this project. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Partners have provided financial support and consumable money. One of my collaborators also played a major role in conceiving the project and contributed in the study design, execution, analysis and critical discussion. She has also played a key role in obtaining funds for 2 PhD studentship post for this project. |
| Impact | We were awarded a Presidential Scholarship to part-fund 1 PhD student in 2018, which was matched by fundings from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. We also secured funding for another PhD student and consumable funding from the Government of Saudi Arabian Government. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Role of the Timp3 and MMP genes in diet-induced adiposity |
| Organisation | University of Southampton |
| Department | School of Medicine Southampton |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I have played a major role in conceiving the project and contributed in the study design, execution, analysis and critical discussion. I have also contributed to setting up the various mouse experiments and in the collection and analysis of data and samples. I also played a key role in obtaining funds for 2 PhD studentship post for this project. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Partners have provided financial support and consumable money. One of my collaborators also played a major role in conceiving the project and contributed in the study design, execution, analysis and critical discussion. She has also played a key role in obtaining funds for 2 PhD studentship post for this project. |
| Impact | We were awarded a Presidential Scholarship to part-fund 1 PhD student in 2018, which was matched by fundings from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. We also secured funding for another PhD student and consumable funding from the Government of Saudi Arabian Government. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | The role of maternal high fat in predisposing the offspring to Alzheimer's Disease |
| Organisation | University of Southampton |
| Department | Faculty of Medicine |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I have played a major role in conceiving the project and contributed in the study design, execution, analysis and critical discussion. I have also contributed to setting up the various mouse experiments and in the collection and analysis of data and samples. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Partners have provided financial support and consumable money. One of my collaborators also played a major role in conceiving the project and contributed in the study design, execution, analysis and critical discussion. |
| Impact | We obtained grant funding to undertake this project from the Rosetrees Trust for 2016-17 (£108,598) and an equipment grant in 2018 from Alzheimer's Research UK (£76,825) |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Expert opinion on a news article |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Dr F Cagampang provided his expert opinion on a news article entitled 'Day to day toll of the night shift' that was published by the Southern Daily Echo. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/11030615.Working_nights_can_damage_health__researchers_find |
| Description | Lifelab Southampton |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | LifeLab is an innovative, cross-community educational intervention that develops, delivers and evaluates a number of educational programmes tailored to school students (11-18) that demonstrate the importance of diet, development and impact on Lifelong Health across a number of areas (cardiovascular, diabetes, osteoporosis) based on our world-leading research. By engaging children with the science that shows how lifestyle choices at an early age can affect health and future children's health, we hope to empower them to make healthier choices and reduce their risk of developing chronic diseases later in life. LifeLab has now established a close partnership with LENScience in Auckland (New Zealand), and this was recently strengthened further through the awarding of funding from the BUPA Foundation to carry out an international evaluation of the intervention in both Southampton and New Zealand. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010,2011,2012 |
| URL | http://www.southampton.ac.uk/medicine/outreach/index.page |
| Description | Media interest following the publication of our paper in the British Journal of Nutrition in 2012 on the role of the circadian clock system in nutrition and metabolism |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Provide scientific explanation for something intuitively, that is structured eating patterns are beneficial for health and well being. A lot of comments generated from this news article. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| URL | http://blogs.webmd.com/food-and-nutrition/2012/08/how-your-brain-wants-you-to-eat.html |