Research Projects
The special interest is in the role the lipids and essential fatty acids are interacting with the cellular signaling systems. That is, we are interested in the key interaction between nutrition affecting membrane lipids and gene expression. Lipid composition is influenced by diet and that in turn influences the membrane proteins which are the ion channels, receptors, signaling and protective enzymes. With only 40,000 genes or less reported in the Human Genome result instead of an expected 150,000, the interface between nutrition and gene expression, which has been the hub of our basic research, now becomes a post-genome priority.
International collaboration is being developed to bring a multidisciplinary approach in cell physics, chemistry and molecular biology together with their applications to clinical science. The objective is to reach a better understand the links between contrasting diets, in Europe, Asia and Africa with adverse pregnancy outcome and chronic disease. The specific aim is to understand the role that the different fatty acids play in membrane structure and cell function in order to reveal the mechanisms of chronic disease and neuro-developmental disorders.
Current projects
- Diabetes in pregnancy - Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation
- Sickle cell disease - Alternative dietary lipid therapy
- Intervention study of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids in school children with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD).
- Prevalence and seasonal variation of protein and calorie malnutrition in Khartoum, Sudan
- Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids and micronutrients combined therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis
- The impact of fish and fish oil capsule intake on omega-3 fatty acid status, health and cognitive function of Omani school children ("Fish Feeding Study")
Completed projects
- Vitamin A and inflammatory bowl disease
- Comparative study of essential fatty acid status of Chinese pregnant women and their neonates living in inland, lake district, and seashore in China.
- Nutritional status of internally displaced pregnant, lactating and non-pregnant Sudanese women.
