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Nutrigenomics video conference

Diet, health and genes – it all comes together in a new area of research, called nutrigenomics. To find out more, Year 10 students from six secondary schools participated in a video conference with New Zealander Lynn Ferguson and North American Jim Kaput.

Watch clips of Lynn and Jim talking about:

  • The science of nutrigenomics

  • The role of nutrigenomics in diseases such as Crohn’s disease, Type II diabetes, and obesity

  • The use of cell and animal models in their research

  • How nutrigenomics research may lead to changes in the ways we think about how to best manage our health

The students who prepared and asked the questions during this interview are from the following schools: Mercury Bay Area School, Thames High School, Morrinsville College, Paeroa College, Whangamata Area School, Waihi College, and Te Aroha College. Students from Coromandel Area School also helped prepare the interview questions but were unable to be part of the interview.

This video conference was organised with the help of Nutrigenomics New Zealand and the students’ e-learning science teacher, Dr Paul Lowe.

Video clips

What is the goal of nutrigenomics?

Lynn Ferguson from New Zealand and Jim Kaput from the United States both lead teams that are recognised internationally in this field. Here they explain their research goals.

 

 

Rights: The University of Waikato

Nutrigenomics can help improve disease control - but is that all?

Lynn Ferguson from Auckland University describes what nutrigenomics research might lead to in the future.

Rights: The University of Waikato

Crohn's disease: What is it?

Lynn Ferguson from Auckland University describes some of the symptoms of Crohn's disease.

Rights: The University of Waikato

Crohn's Disease: Creating a family tree

Lynn Ferguson from Auckland University explains why creating a family history of the disease can be difficult. What does this mean for researchers?

Rights: The University of Waikato

Type II diabetes: Why your diet is important

Type II diabetes is caused by a malfunction in the way our bodies process sugar. This malfunction in the digestive system can be triggered by our diet. Lynn Ferguson from Auckland University and Jim Kaput from the University of California explain what this means.

Rights: The University of Waikato

The 'fat' gene

Not only are there gene variants that make you more likely to be obese, an overload of food in your system can cause gene mis-expression, making it very easy to put on more weight. Jim Kaput from the University of California explains.

Rights: The University of Waikato

Research models: What and why?

World experts Lynn Ferguson and Jim Kaput explain why cell models and animal models are so important in their research.

Rights: The University of Waikato

What makes mice good research models?

Animal models are often needed in medical research because human samples cannot be reasonably obtained. Lynn Ferguson and Jim Kaput explain what makes mice an appropriate choice.

Rights: The University of Waikato

When will nutrigenomics hit the supermarkets?

Lynn Ferguson and Jim Kaput lead two of the world's biggest nutrigenomics research projects. Here they explain why it will take time for the whole concept of nutrigenomics products to reach the public.

Rights: The University of Waikato

Nutrigenomics and genetic modification

What is Lynn Ferguson's take-home message about nutrigenomics and genetic modification

Rights: The University of Waikato

Nutrigenomics and the future of medicine

Is it more likely that people will change what they eat, or that new supplements and medicines will be produced as a result of this research?

 

Rights: The University of Waikato

Nutrigenomics: It's not rocket science

Jim Kaput from the University of California explains what makes a good scientist and what you need to do to be one.

Rights: The University of Waikato
Published:30 April 2006