UoR will lead the coordination of WP1 (Metabonomics) for the consortium. Its main role will be to provide and apply state-of-the-art analytical techniques for the assessment of effective flavanol delivery to the vascular system (WP 1.1 to 1.5). In addition, it will also work closely with other partners in WP1 to aid in the development of new flavanol-rich foods. It will also work in an integrative manner with partners in WP 3 to provide vital data to give a further degree of physiological significance to studies investigating the impact of new flavanol-rich foods on the maintenance and improvement of vascular function. In addition, it will undertake in vitro work within WP 4 to aid in the determination of flavanol mechanism of action on endothelial cells.
UoR has managed and participated in a large number of EU projects across a range of disciplines. It is currently involved in the FP6 Project Lipgene (FOOD-CT-2003-505944). The Department of Food Biosciences has considerable experience in: 1) conducting dietary intervention studies; 2) analysing biomarkers of human nutrient exposure; 3) determining the actions of nutrients and the cellular and molecular level and 4) understanding the attitudes and constraints that affect food choices. Dr Spencer has held a total of 7 Research Council (BBSRC and MRC) grants since appointment at UoR and a number of Industrial contracts. His group currently consists of 3 Postdoctoral fellows, 8 PhD students, and 3 Master students.
Dr Jeremy Spencer is Lecturer in Molecular Nutrition and is interested in the role of flavonols in the preventing cardiovascular disease, neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. Dr Spencer has a BSc (First Class) in Biochemistry and a PhD in Pharmacology. He has an international reputation for his research into the cellular and molecular actions of flavonols and running acute and chronic human nutrient intervention trials.
Dr Ana Rodriguez Mateos is Research Fellow in Nutrient Bioavailability. She has considerable experience in accurate measurement of phytochemicals, in particular flavonoids, in human biofluids. Her research has involved the use of HPLC, LC-MS/MS and H-NMR, and she has been involved in the development of state-of-the-art techniques for assessment of flavanols in foods.
Dr Ana Rodriguez Mateos is Research Fellow in Nutrient Bioavailability. She has considerable experience in accurate measurement of phytochemicals, in particular flavonoids, in human biofluids. Her research has involved the use of HPLC, LC-MS/MS and H-NMR, and she has been involved in the development of state-of-the-art techniques for assessment of flavanols in foods.
The Department of Food Biosciences is the largest University department of its kind in the UK, and has 21 full-time academic staff publishing on average 100 manuscripts per year. It is renowned for its excellence in teaching and research and achieved a rating of '5' in the last RAE, recognising the national and international quality of our work. The Department delivers international levels of research and teaching in the food biosciences using modern advanced technologies and inter-disciplinary expertise. In addition, The Institute of Health Sciences (IHS) is an active research centre, specialising in gerontology and ageing research.