TCDM offers multidisciplinary know-how and research services in investigating the role of dietary composition and regulation of feeding behavior in established and novel animal disease models. The Unit has a long-standing expertise especially in obesity and hormonal cancers. Nutrition and Metabolism Unit works in close collaboration with Functional Foods Forum, University of Turku (http://fff.utu.fi).
Design of dietary interventions
- experimental diet formulation
- diet-induced disease models
- drug – diet interaction
- nutraceutical research
Metabolic phenotyping
- food intake and feeding behavior
- energy expenditure by indirect calorimetry (Oxylet Pro Physiocage, Panlab, Harvard Biosciences, Inc)
- physical activity by photobeam frame system (Photobeam Activity System PAS, Cage Rack, San Diego Instruments) or low-profile wireless running wheels (Med Associates, Inc)
- body weight
- body composition by quantitative NMR (EchoMRI-700, Echo Medical Systems)
- white and brown adipose tissue morphology and function
- body temperature by FLIR T620 Infrared Camera
- glucose and lipid metabolism
- hepatosteatosis
- obesity biomarkers
- central manipulation of feeding behavior and energy homeostasis (stereotaxic surgeries, direct injections and cannula implantation, genetic vectors, AAV, Lentivirus)
Dietary modulation of hormone action and tumorigenesis
- experimental cancer models
- in vivo reporter models for hormone action and GM models with
- altered sex steroid balance
- rodent models for metabolism and kinetics of dietary polyphenols