Author
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Ashwell, Christopher |
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Submitted to: Nutrition Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2002 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Nutritional science is historically based on chemical characterization of feeds, definition of metabolic pathways, and on identification of interactions between feeds and metabolism. Recently research has focused on the roles of both macronutrients (protein, carbohydrate, fat) and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals) in cellular processes, enzymology, and the development of disease. In many biomedical studies diet has been shown to be a significant factor contributing to debilitating diseases such as diabetes and arteriosclerosis but not for all individuals. It is generally accepted that these differences in dietary effects within the population are a function of genetics. The future of nutrition is tied to a clearer understanding of the interactions of specific nutrients within specific genetic backgrounds and to harness the power of emerging genomic technologies. A functional genomic approach will allow the nutritional potential of feeds to be better realized and utilized for selectively manipulating health or body composition. A driving force for understanding the regulation and mechanisms of nutrient absorption in animal agriculture is for the minimization of key nutrients (particularly phosphorus) in the excreta. This problem could be reduced by manipulation of genes involved in its absorption from the diet. The underlying genetic mechanisms by which nutrient absorption is regulated in the broiler chicken is unknown. The broiler chicken will serve as the focus of functional genomic analyses of nutrient absorption described in these studies. If these regulatory mechanisms can be determined and exploited, overfeeding of calcium and phosphorus to broilers could be eliminated and excreta nutrients minimized. Technical Abstract: Nutritional science is historically based on chemical characterization of feeds, definition of metabolic pathways, and on identification of interactions between feeds and metabolism. Recently research has focused on the roles of both macronutrients (protein, carbohydrate, fat) and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals) in cellular processes, enzymology, and the development of disease. In many biomedical studies diet has been shown to be a significant factor contributing to debilitating diseases such as diabetes and arteriosclerosis but not for all individuals. It is generally accepted that these differences in dietary effects within the population are a function of genetics. The future of nutrition is tied to a clearer understanding of the interactions of specific nutrients within specific genetic backgrounds and to harness the power of emerging genomic technologies. A functional genomic approach will allow the nutritional potential of feeds to be better realized and utilized for selectively manipulating health or body composition. A driving force for understanding the regulation and mechanisms of nutrient absorption in animal agriculture is for the minimization of key nutrients (particularly phosphorus) in the excreta. This problem could be reduced by manipulation of genes involved in its absorption from the diet. The underlying genetic mechanisms by which nutrient absorption is regulated in the broiler chicken is unknown. The broiler chicken will serve as the focus of functional genomic analyses of nutrient absorption described in these studies If these regulatory mechanisms can be determined and exploited, overfeeding of calcium and phosphorus to broilers could be eliminated and excreta nutrients minimized. |
