Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The Research Frontiers in Nutritional Sciences Conference, was held at the University of Arizona on October 8-9, 2009, and focused specifically on the current research state of cancer, obesity, diabetes, muscle biology, and nutrigenomics. The outputs of the Conference were: 1) Discussed novel research approaches to the treatment and prevention of obesity, cancer and diabetes. 2) Described the influence of bioactive food components and nutrition on genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics in the setting of obesity, cancer and diabetes. 3) Presented and discussed new research related to biology of muscle development and control of muscle functions; 4) Developed and facilitated interdisciplinary interactions leading to collaborations among participating scientists, clinicians, and food and drug representatives. 5) Fostered growth of junior investigators and graduate students. The conference culminated on day 1 with a "Building Bridges" dinner on Thursday evening during which individual speakers, conference participants, planning committee, and award recipients were provided with an opportunity to be introduced in a small group setting. Introductions highlighted the individual's area of research and purpose for attending the research conference. Seating for junior investigators and award winners was reserved in order to assure opportunities to be seated with more senior researchers, thus facilitating the mentoring process. Invitations were extended to representatives of State and Federal Agencies. Question and Answer Panel Sessions were organized. Based on the experience with the prior editions of frontiers in nutritional sciences conferences organized in 2005 and 2007, we realized that valuable learning opportunities were the panel question and answer sessions. Therefore, we designated time at the end of each section during which speakers answered questions from conference participants. In addition, selected faculty/participants were invited to join the panel. These activities included invited representatives from state and federal organizations, nutrition, and pharmaceutical companies. Consistent with national and international scientific meetings, we recognized the value of poster sessions as an interactive forum for scientific exchange. In fact, poster sessions were among the most effective for graduate students. Posters were grouped by category (Obesity, Cancer, Diabetes, and Bioactive Food Components) as identified on submission forms. Attendees were provided with an abstract book which included abstracts and 5 key words for each poster. Poster awards were given to one student in each category. Judges for the poster session included faculty members from the Department of Nutritional Sciences and speakers from each scientific session. This provided feedback and critical evaluation to the student as a learning opportunity. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals who worked on the project included members of the Organizing Committee from The University of Arizona: Donato Romagnolo, PhD: Donato, Conference Chair; Kirsten Limesand, PhD: Co-chair; Joy Winzerling, Department Head, Ph.D., RD; Scott Going, PhD; Linda Houtkooper, PhD, RD; Craig Stump, MD, PhD; Randy Burd, PhD; Cynthia Thomson, PhD, RD; Wanda Howell, PhD, RD. Other individuals involved included staff members Trudy Morrow, Theresa Spicer, Nancy Driscoll. The Conference Agenda included: Dr. Eugene Sander, Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Executive Vice President & Provost, Meredith Hay Frank B. Hu, M.D., Ph.D., Professor Nutrition and Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health; David Cummings, MD, University of Washington; Steven N. Blair, Ph.D., Exercise Science, University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health; Michael Quon, MD, PhD - National Institutes of Health - Chief of the Diabetes Unit; Gerald Hart, PhD - Johns Hopkins University DeLamar Professor and Director, Dept. of Biological Chemistry; Peter Reaven, MD, University of Arizona, Director, Diabetes Program; Susan Lanza-Jacoby, PhD, Thomas Jefferson University, Professor; Bette Caan, Dr PH, Kaiser Permanente, Division of Research Senior Research Scientist; Tim Bowden, University of Arizona, Professor; Jeff Zidichouski, PhD, Director of Research and James Johnston, PhD, Research Officer, National Research Council Canada; Eugene Gerner, PhD, University of Arizona, Professor, Director, Gastrointestinal Cancer Program Colon Cancer Prevention with Natural foods and Therapeutic Drugs; Eileen White, PhD, Rutgers University, Professor, Autophagy and Cancer; Stephen Hursting, PhD, University of Texas at Austin, Professor and Margaret McKean Love Chair. For the Animal Biology portion of the Conference individuals were: David Hartshorne, University of Arizona; Ron Mellgren, University of Toledo; Carol Gregorio, University of Arizona; Parker Antin, University of Arizona; Peter Davies, Qeens University, Ontario; Hink Granzier, University of Arizona. Training and professional development included Speaker Panels and Discussion of clinical cases. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audience included basic scientists in nutrition and muscle biology, applied scientists, epidemiologists, clinicians in practice (public health practitioners, medical doctors, registered dietitians, doctors of osteopathy, pharmacists and nurses) as well as postdocs and graduate students in training. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: No major changes were introduced. The Conference took place as scheduled.
Impacts
This conference provided a unique opportunity to promote the development of bench to bedside/clinic/community collaborative relationships among nutritional scientists, health practitioners, and health officials in an effort to ignite multidisciplinary, translational research targeted to the prevention and cure of important chronic diseases. Reducing the burden of chronic diseases including cancer, diabetes and obesity requires innovative approaches that may lead to the development of new strategies based on natural products, drugs, and nutritional supplements. In addition, research findings related to muscle biology and regulation of muscle functions were discussed. The Conference provided an interactive and somewhat intimate forum for the exchange of ideas among researchers who have historically focused their efforts on one particular disease and highlighted the potential commonality of chronic illness. Thus, it advanced knowledge on the use of foods and supplements for the public good.
Publications
- Research Frontiers in Nutritional Sciences. 2009 Proceedings. Department of Nutritional Sciences.The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.
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