Presentations

THE PROBLEM
It’s well-known that drinking alcohol during pregnancy can harm a developing baby, but exactly how it causes these problems has been unclear. Recent research at NRI has revealed a new way alcohol impacts fetal development that we didn’t know before.

THE SCIENCE
Inside a cell, a process called ribosome biogenesis is crucial for making proteins. This process occurs in a special area of the cell’s nucleus called the nucleolus, where ribosomes—the cell’s protein-making machinery—are assembled. When something disrupts ribosome biogenesis, it can cause nucleolar stress, which might lead to cell death. 

In a recent study from the Saini, Smith and Mooney groups, Huang et al. discovered that prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) in a mouse model interferes with ribosome biogenesis. This disruption leads to nucleolar stress and cell death in the brains of developing mice, which results in reduced brain size. They analyzed the complete set of RNA molecules, called transcriptomics, from fetal brain tissue to show that PAE blocks ribosome biogenesis, causing stress and cell death.

Another study by Flentke et al. looked at how PAE affects cranial neural crest cells, which are the building blocks for facial bones and cartilage. They found that PAE also disrupts ribosome biogenesis and induces nucleolar stress in these cells, which impairs physical development in a zebrafish model.

THE IMPORTANCE
These studies are the first to demonstrate that alcohol causes nucleolar stress, linking this stress to the negative effects of PAE on fetal growth and survival. This includes both cognitive and behavioral issues and distinctive facial features seen in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Understanding how alcohol affects development can help find ways to lessen these impacts in humans and might provide insights into other diseases related to problems with ribosome biogenesis.

Education and Engagement

After our NRI investigators share their research discoveries, we take the crucial step of translating and distributing this knowledge to scientists, health professionals, and the public through various programs, events, partnerships, and training sessions. We are grateful to our friends and collaborators who participated in these opportunities to learn from and engage with our experts over the past year.

Inreach

Faculty Seminar Series
Traditionally, the NRI faculty seminar series features researchers from other universities but, in FY24, our own 21 principal investigators took turns at the podium to share their ongoing research and insights from their career journeys with the NRI’s full staff.  This year’s series emphasized community building and mentorship, providing an opportunity for our team to learn from one another and strengthen our collective knowledge. Through these presentations, we fostered a deeper sense of connection and support within our institute.

Tar Heel Bus Tour
The Tar Heel Bus Tour, an annual University initiative, highlights Carolina’s dedication to community service by taking faculty and senior administrators on journeys throughout the state to examine firsthand communities’ most pressing issues and learn how the University can help address them. Two buses, one traveling east and the other west, made 25 stops in 19 counties. The NRI was a stop for the west bus on October 18. The group, welcomed by Kannapolis Mayor Daryl Hinnant, toured the NRI’s unique facilities, hearing about four key research areas from these principal investigators.”

The tour highlighted four key research areas, each led by a principal investigator.

• Rachel Goode, PhD, MPH, LCSW, shared her research on nutrition interventions aimed at promoting health equity.
• Deborah F. Tate, PhD, discussed her leadership role in the NIH All of Us study.
• Saroja Voruganti, PhD, showcased the institute’s whole-room calorimeter, a pivotal part of the clinical research core.
• Stephen Hursting, PhD, MPH, offered insights into his state-of-the-art laboratory, which focuses on the intersection of cancer and nutrition.

Teaching and Mentoring

In addition to overseeing dynamic research and clinical laboratories, 13 of our faculty teach undergraduate and graduate courses, while also mentoring graduate students here at the NRI and on Chapel Hill’s campus.

FEATURED CLASSES

Advisory Board

Our advisory board plays a crucial role in elevating the UNC Nutrition Research Institute to world-class stature. Composed of visionary leaders and experts from diverse fields, our board members are dedicated advocates for the NRI’s mission. They enhance our local, national, and global presence, secure essential resources, foster strategic partnerships, and provide invaluable guidance. By supporting groundbreaking nutrition research, our board helps us revolutionize nutrition science and achieve advancements in health and wellness.

Jeffery M. Petry • Charlotte, NC
Almer K. Reddick • Zebulon, NC
Craig Richardville • Broomfield, CO
Rina K. Shah (Chair) • Durham, NC
Samuel Taggard • West Simsbury, CT
Richard A. Vinroot • Charlotte, NC
Jason Walser • Salisbury, NC
Mary Jo Walter • Lumberton, NC
Amanda G. Watlington • Durham, NC
Douglas L. Weed, MD, PhD, MPH • Wilmington, NC

Your support for our research enables us to continue supporting our faculty, their teams, and the vital work of our institute. Gifts from individuals, foundations, and businesses are essential in helping us bring world-class nutrition scientists on board, push the boundaries of precision nutrition research, and offer hands-on learning and mentorship for students. 

Your dedication to our institute drives our efforts everyday.