Background: Obesity is one of the major risk factor for the development of both cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Current public health strategies to combat the obesity epidemic have had limited success to date. This course will explore different dietary, pharmacological and surgical methodologies to alter cardiometabolic health in mouse, rat and human models. This course will be particularly focused on the integral role of inflammation in driving dietary-induced insulin resistance and will explore anti-inflammatory interventions in both mouse and man that may improve measures of cardiometabolic health in both the obese and diabetic state. We will discuss the effects of dietary fat composition in obesigenic diets on adipose tissue inflammation, adipose tissue expandability and consequences for whole-body insulin sensitivity. We will further discuss how obesity-associated inflammation alters lipid metabolism pathways and affects the function of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles. We will run a number of workshops – the first will explore different animal models used for the measurements of cardio-metabolic health and participants will be involved in the analysis and the interpretation of sample studies. The second workshop will focus on designing human dietary intervention studies aimed at modulating metabolic health. On the final day we will hear from keynote speakers about the potential of novel lipid mediators to ameliorate the complications of diabetes (Prof. Catherine Godson). In addition we will hear from Prof. Carel le Roux about the potential mechanisms underlying the health benefits of bariatric surgery in the resolution of diabetes. We are also delighted to have external speakers Prof. Michael Muller and Prof. Ellen Blaak join us to speak molecular nutrition and metabolic flexibility in man. Course Aim: In this course attendants will gain comprehensive training on the physiological models used in the measurement of cardiometabolic health in mouse, rat and humans. The participants will work in groups to discuss, interpret and design novel intervention studies aimed at modulating metabolic health and will receive feedback on these study designs on the final day. The course aims to provide participants with a global appreciation for the integral role of inflammation in the complications of both obesity and diabetes. Target group: PhD students, Postdocs and other researchers interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms linking nutrition, obesity and metabolic dysfunction/cardiovascular risk. Course design: The course will comprise a mixture of lectures and workshops with plenty of time for debate about pros and cons of all the models discussed. There will be a group workshop and presentation on the final day with the opportunity to get feedback from experts in the nutrition field. Programme topics: • Nutrient Sensitive Molecular Profiling • Inflammation and Insulin Resistance – dietary regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome complex • Inflammatory driven dysregulation of lipid metabolism during obesity • Metabolic flexibility – integrating whole body physiology with molecular metabolism • Gene-nutrient interactions and metabolic health • Anti-inflammatory dietary intervention in overweight adolescents • Metabolomic platforms for the identification of novel biomarkers of metabolic dysfunction • Complications of diabetes – potential of novel pro-resolving lipid mediators to improve metabolic health • Exercise and metabolic health • Gut hormone signalling and appetite control – lessons from bariatric surgery Workshops: Workshop 1: Animal models utilized for measurement of cardiometabolic health Workshop 2: Designing human interventional studies Social programme: June 2nd – a course dinner to the Merry Ploughboy Restaurant has been organised which is based in the Dublin Mountains and live Irish Music and Entertainment is provided. June 3rd – course participants will be left to explore Dublin city and discuss group projects. Course coordinators: Prof. Helen Roche, University College Dublin (UCD), Ireland, Dr. Fiona McGillicuddy, UCD, Ireland, Mrs Ingeborg van Leeuwen-Bol. NuGO Association/ Graduate School VLAG, Wageningen, University, NL. Other Faculty: Prof. Michael Müller, University of East Anglia / IFR Institute of Food Safety Prof. Ellen Blaak, University of Maastricht, NL Dr. Lorraine Brennan, UCD, Ireland Prof. Carel le Roux, UCD, Ireland Prof. Catherine Godson, UCD, Ireland Dr. Neil Docherty, UCD, Ireland Dr. Orla Finucane, UCD, Ireland Dr. Brendan Egan, UCD, Ireland Ms. Aoibheann McMorrow, UCD, Ireland Date & duration The course will be held from Tuesday 2nd June, 2015 (start 11.30am: lunch) till Thursday 4th June, 2015 (13.30hrs; lunch). Lunch will be provided on all days and dinner on one night. Study load & language 16 hours of course content that will be eligible for 0.6 ECTS credits. The course will be conducted in English. Location The course will be held at the UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland. Accommodation Campus accommodation is available for all participants at an additional cost of €53 per night for an en-suite room. For information and online booking visit: https://event.summeratucd.ie/?2250017425060266433 Contact Information Information concerning the course contents can be obtained from Dr. Fiona McGillicuddy: Email: fiona.mcgillicuddy@ucd.ie For questions about registration please contact Mrs. Ingeborg van Leeuwen-Bol: Email: ingeborg.vanleeuwen-bol@wur.nl Course fee, registration & number of participants ⇒Course fee (includes lunches and one dinner) 150€: PhD student and Postdocs from NuGO partners (excluded participants from UCD) 250€: for participants not affiliated with NuGO ⇒The number of participants to the course is limited to 24 and based on first comes, first serves. ⇒The final registration date is April 29th, 2014.
Registration Please register at: http://nutrigenomics.topshare.com/survey/index.php?sid=82371&lang=en We ask for invoicing details. Make sure you have your Purchase Order Number or Projectnumber available accordingly the invoicing details of your institute.
Grants The Nutrigenomics Association (NuGO) will make grants available for PhDstudents and Postdocs of its partners to participate in this course [visit grant information] for detailed information about these grants. PhDstudents affiliated with VLAG (WU) please contact contact ingeborg.vanleeuwen-bol@wur.nl for further information.