biomedical sciences research institute - Research - University of Ulster

Wallace JMW, Bonham MP, Strain JJ, Duffy EM, Robson PJ, Ward M, McNulty H, Davidson PW, Myers GJ, Shamlaye C,Clarkson TW, Molloy AM, Scott JM and Ueland PM; Homocysteine concentration, related B-vitamins and betaine inpregnant women recruited to the Seychelles Child Development Study; American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 87: 391-397, 2008Hoey L, McNulty H, McCann EME, McCracken KJ, Scott JM, Blaznik Marc B, Molloy AM, Graham C, Pentieva K; Layinghens can convert high doses of folic acid added to the feed into natural folates in eggs providing a novel source offood folate; British Journal of Nutrition (in press)Kerr MA, Livingstone B, Bates CJ, Bradbury I, Scott JM, Ward M, Pentieva K, Mansoor MA, McNulty H; Folate, related Bvitamins and homocysteine in childhood and adolescence: potential implications for disease risk in later life; Pediatrics(in press)Dr Patrick NaughtonSenior Lecturer in Medical MicrobiologyContact Details:T: +44 (0)28 70324689pj.naughton@ulster.ac.ukDr Patrick Naughton’s research focuses on diet and bacterial interactions in the gastrointestinal tract, with a particularemphasis on antibiotic resistance in food-poisoning bacteria and the use of myoelectrical techniques (with Dr ViolettaNaughton) in the investigation of the effects of diet and bacteria on gut motility.In the past five year’s his research has focussed on the role of prebiotics in the gastrointestinal tract and their influenceon both the normal flora and gastrointestinal pathogens such as Salmonella and other Gram negative pathogens andin developing methods to identify antibiotic resistance patterns in food borne pathogens (with Prof James Dooley). Asubstantial proportion of Dr Naughton’s research is funded by SafeFood (Food Safety Promotion Board).Dr Jacqueline O’ConnorAssociate Head of SchoolSchool of Biomedical SciencesContact Details:T: +44 (0)28 70324186jm.oconnor@ulster.ac.ukDr O’Connor’s research interests include: Trace elements in health and disease; trace elements and immune functionand DNA damage; nutrition and immune function; nutrition and cognitive function and mood, psychoneuroimmunologyand choline and human health.She is principal investigator of the Ulster part of the ZENITH project. This, recently completed, multidisciplinary projectaimed to provide data on the beneficial and/or adverse effects on mental and physical health of zinc supplementationin ageing Europeans, in order to evaluate the need for dietary recommendations specific to this population. Effectsof zinc supplementation on relevant micronutrient status and intestinal absorption of zinc have been evaluated.Cognitive function and psychological factors including mood, food choice and taste were also monitored. Effects ofzinc on biomarkers health including those of immune status, thyroid function, oxidative status, lipid metabolism andbone turnover were also investigated. In addition interactions between immune function and psychological measures85