Genes and Nutrition
Each of us is metabolically unique. Gene variations known as SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) often are a factor in an individual’s ability to metabolize or use nutrients efficiently. Each of our specific nutrient needs is affected by which specific combination of SNPs we have, but with thousands known to impact nutrition metabolism, how do we know what those needs are?
NRI researchers are working to create a “catalog” of SNPs that alter our nutritional needs by understanding how genetic and other complex biological information can be used to better estimate individual nutrition requirements and intolerances. Our scientists use bioinformatics to extract such information from population and intervention studies, develop rules for predicting individual needs, and bring precision nutrition to health care providers and consumers with digital tools.
Publications
Genes and Nutrition Publications
2020
Genetic variants affecting bone mineral density and bone mineral content at multiple skeletal sites in Hispanic children. Voruganti VS
Precision (Personalized) Nutrition: Understanding Metabolic Heterogeneity. Zeisel S
2019
DNA methylation in mice is influenced by genetics as well as sex and life experience. French J
Cytosolic 10-formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase regulates glycine metabolism in mouse liver. Krupenko S
Deleterious mutations in ALDH1L2 suggest a novel cause for neuro-ichthyotic syndrome. Krupenko S
Fine mapping and identification of serum urate loci in American Indians: The Strong Heart Family Study. Voruganti VS
Heterogeneity in Metabolic Responses to Dietary Fructose. Voruganti VS
Genetic analysis of hsCRP in American Indians: The Strong Heart Family Study. Voruganti VS
A trans-ancestral meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies reveals loci associated with childhood obesity. Voruganti VS
Healthy dietary patterns and risk and survival of breast cancer: a meta-analysis of cohort studies. Voruganti VS
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Genome-Wide Interaction Analyses Reveal DPP10-Pulmonary Function Association. Voruganti VS
2018
C16-ceramide is a natural regulatory ligand of p53 in cellular stress response. Krupenko N
Nutritional Genomics of Cardiovascular Disease. Voruganti VS
Genetic determinants of BMI from early childhood to adolescence: the Santiago Longitudinal Study. Voruganti VS
Serum Lipid Concentrations and FADS Genetic Variants in Young Mexican College Students: The UP-AMIGOS Cohort Study. Voruganti VS
Arsenic-gene interactions and beta-cell function in the Strong Heart Family Study. Voruganti VS
Dietary Modulation of the Epigenome. Zeisel S
2017
Exome sequencing reveals novel genetic loci influencing obesity-related traits in Hispanic children. Voruganti VS
Genetic variation underlying renal uric acid excretion in Hispanic children: the Viva La Familia Study. Voruganti VS
Reduced brain volume and impaired memory in betaine homocysteine S-methyltransferase knockout mice. Zeisel S
Choline, Other Methyl-Donors and Epigenetics. Zeisel S
2016
CerS6 Is a Novel Transcriptional Target of p53 Protein Activated by Non-genotoxic Stress. Krupenko N
Genotype, B-vitamin status, and androgens affect spaceflight-induced ophthalmic changes. Zeisel S
Related News
Kannapolis Rotary Club's Gift of $63,500
The Kannapolis Rotary Club has given a gift of $63,500 to the NRI in support of student housing. On Veteran’s Day, NRI Director Steven Zeisel, M.D., Ph.D., received a symbolic check for this donation from Kannapolis club president Jeremy Tutt and club member William...
February 17, 2015
The Role of Genetics and Other Biological Factors in the Obesity Epidemic Karen Corbin, Ph.D., R.D., joined the UNC Nutrition Research Institute (NRI) in 2009 and was promoted to research assistant professor in 2011. Dr. Corbin’s research focuses on nutritional and...
Genome-wide association replicates the association of Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (DARC) polymorphisms with serum monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) levels in Hispanic children
Genome-wide association replicates the association of Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (DARC) polymorphisms with serum monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) levels in Hispanic children.
Voruganti VS, Laston S, Haack K, Mehta NR, Smith CW, Cole SA, Butte NF, Comuzzie AG.
Cytokine. 2012 Dec;60(3):634-8. doi: 10.1016/j.cyto.2012.08.029. Epub 2012 Sep 25.
PMID: 23017229
Significant genotype by diet (G × D) interaction effects on cardiometabolic responses to a pedigree-wide, dietary challenge in vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops sabaeus)
Significant genotype by diet (G × D) interaction effects on cardiometabolic responses to a pedigree-wide, dietary challenge in vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops sabaeus).
Voruganti VS, Jorgensen MJ, Kaplan JR, Kavanagh K, Rudel LL, Temel R, Fairbanks LA, Comuzzie AG.
Am J Primatol. 2013 May;75(5):491-9. doi: 10.1002/ajp.22125. Epub 2013 Jan 11.
PMID: 23315630
QTL mapping of leukocyte telomere length in American Indians: the Strong Heart Family Study
QTL mapping of leukocyte telomere length in American Indians: the Strong Heart Family Study.
Zhu Y, Voruganti VS, Lin J, Matsuguchi T, Blackburn E, Best LG, Lee ET, MacCluer JW, Cole SA, Zhao J.
Aging (Albany NY). 2013 Sep;5(9):704-16.
PMID: 24036517
Genome-wide association analysis confirms and extends the association of SLC2A9 with serum uric acid levels to Mexican Americans
Genome-wide association analysis confirms and extends the association of SLC2A9 with serum uric acid levels to Mexican Americans.
Voruganti VS, Kent JW Jr, Debnath S, Cole SA, Haack K, Göring HH, Carless MA, Curran JE, Johnson MP, Almasy L, Dyer TD, Maccluer JW, Moses EK, Abboud HE, Mahaney MC, Blangero J, Comuzzie AG.
Front Genet. 2013 Dec 16;4:279. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2013.00279. eCollection 2013.
PMID: 24379826 [PubMed]