biomedical sciences research institute - Research - University of Ulster

In addition, results of a pilot study conducted with colleagues in the Western Health and Social Care Trust toinvestigate the effect of taking a multi vitamin supplement on renal function and nutrient status in dialysis patients inthe Trust over a three month period were published recently on the University of Ulster web site and on BBC andITV news sites and numerous Renal web news sites, indicating the impact this research has on patient health. It ishoped that this type of intervention may provide the evidence base required to introduce this type of regime intoclinical care in haemodialysis patients in Northern Ireland.DNA damaged Lymphocytes: Left: stained with ethidium bromide right: head and tail indicated.Dr Hannon-Fletcher is a Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences, a registered Biomedical Scientist with theHealth Professions Council (HPC), a Chartered Scientist with the Science Council, a Registered Nutritionist withthe Nutrition Society and a member of Diabetes UK. In addition, Mary is a member of the scientific and conferenceorganizing committee of the European Childhood Obesity Group 2009 ECOG meeting, to be held in Dublin inSeptember 2008. Mary has keen interest in research ethics and sits on the School of Biomedical Science ResearchEthics Committee and is a member of the HPSS Research Ethical Committees, Northern Ireland (OREC NI).Publications:Hannon-Fletcher MP, Barnett YA; Lymphocyte cytochrome P450 expression: inducibility studies in male Wistar rats;British Journal of Biomedical Sciences, 65: 1-6, 2008McCaffrey TA, Rennie KL, Kerr MA, Wallace JM, Hannon-Fletcher MP, Coward WA, Jebb SA, Livingstone MB; Energydensity of the diet and change in body fatness from childhood to adolescence: is there a relation? American Journalof Clinical Nutrition, 87: 1230-1237, 2008Dr Geraldine HoriganResearch AssociateContact Details:T: +44 (0)28 70323516gb.horigan@ulster.ac.ukDr Horigan’s has been part of NICHE since 2002 and her main research interests are gene-nutrient interactionsin homocysteine metabolism, particularly the interaction between riboflavin the C677T polymorphism inMethylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and blood pressure. Dietary requirements for vitamin D, bone healthand human intervention studies.Dr Horigan’s research activities include investigating vitamin D status in Irish adults in collaboration with UniversityCollege Cork. This large intervention study funded by the Food Standards Agency examined the intake of vitamin Drequired to prevent seasonal vitamin D deficiency in adults aged 20-85 years.Dr Horigan is currently a Research Associate involved in the Trinity Ulster and Department of Agriculture (TUDA)study one of three studies to be undertaken as part of a large cross-border collaborative project, TUDA is an78