biomedical sciences research institute - Research - University of Ulster

Dr Barnes has developed expertise in conducting human intervention studies and specialised laboratory techniques,particularly those associated with vitamin D metabolism and immune function. Her work has also focused on dietaryassessment, body composition and bone mineral density measurements.Other research interests include the effect of vitamin D status on immune conditions, particularly multiple sclerosis,vitamin D requirements during pregnancy and the influence of body composition on nutrient status.Dr Barnes is a Member of: The Nutrition Society, UK; the Multiple Sclerosis Society, UK; the Ulster ImmunologyGroup; and the Institute of Biomedical Science (Licentiate)Press releases:http://news.ulster.ac.uk/releases/2008/4014.htmlhttp://news.ulster.ac.uk/releases/2007/3543.htmlPublications:KD Cashman, TR Hill, AJ Lucey, N Taylor, KM Seamans, S Muldowney, AP FitzGerald, A Flynn, MS Barnes, G Horigan,MP Bonham, EM Duffy, JJ Strain, JMW Wallace & M Kiely; Estimation of the dietary requirement for Vitamin D inhealthy adults; American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 88: 1535-1542, 2008MS Barnes, MP Bonham, PJ Robson, JJ Strain, AS Lowe-Strong, J Eaton-Evans, F Ginty & JMW Wallace; Assessment of25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3levels in male and female multiple sclerosis patients and healthycontrols; Multiple Sclerosis, 13: 670-672, 2007Dr Emeir DuffyLecturer in Human NutritionContact Details:T: +44 (0)28 70323543em.duffy@ulster.ac.ukDr Emeir Duffy’s main research interests include the effect of diet, specifically omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D, onhealth and autoimmune diseases. She also has an interest in marine derived functional foods. During this reportingperiod Dr Duffy was a member of Seychelles Child Development Nutrition Research Group where she was activelyinvolved in the EU 6 th Framework funded project ‘PHIME’ investigating methyl mercury (MeHg) toxicity duringpregnancy. The PHIME consortium consists of 31 partners in 20 countries and will run over five years (2006-2011).In Europe and worldwide there is great speculation as to the effect of toxic metals, in particular MeHg, on childneurodevelopment. Results from these projects will provide information and guidance referring to health impactsassociated with consuming foodstuffs contaminated with toxic metals.Dr Duffy was a member of the vitamin D research group where she was actively involved in the Food Standards Agencyfunded projects ‘An investigation of the relative significance of both dietary sources and sunlight on vitamin D statusand/or functional markers, with particular emphasis on provision of scientific basis for dietary recommendations’ and‘Vitamin D status and associated health outcomes’. The results of the first study have been published and the secondstudy is still ongoing. Vitamin D deficiency is a major public health challenge facing the world and results from thesestudies will impact on public health strategies aimed at targeting this problem.In 2007, Dr Duffy formed partnership with 6 other institutions on the Island of Ireland to form the Marine FunctionalFoods Research Initiative Consortium of which she acts as the PI for the University of Ulster. This initiative is toestablish Ireland as a world-competitor in the area of marine functional foods and identify novel marine derived74