Use of Stable Isotope Techniques in Nutritional and Medical Research – A Historical Perspective
Speaker: Dr Cornelia Loechl
Speaker’s Institution: International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
In this presentation, Dr. Cornelia Loechl will give an overview of the historical development of isotope methods in the field of nutrition and health, first illustrating the dilution technique used to assess body composition, followed by those which measure breast milk intake and energy expenditure. This presentation will also cover the technological advancements of spectrometry and spectroscopy, along with a brief description as to how these isotope techniques are being conducted today. Further, Dr. Loechl will provide insights into the IAEA’s ongoing work in nutrition and highlight support mechanisms and resources available to Member States and the stable isotope user community.
Application of Doubly Labeled Water in Arduous Environments: Lessons From the Field, Forest, and Arctic
Speaker: Dr Brent C. Ruby
Speaker’s Institution: University of Montana, United States of America
In this lecture, Dr. Brent Ruby will focus on the use of doubly labeled water (DLW) in challenging environments, drawing insights from research conducted in diverse landscapes such as wildland fires, ultra-endurance events, backcountry hunting, and the Arctic. The session will explore the pivotal role of this technique in understanding energy dynamics, water budgets and adaptation strategies of humans in arduous habitats.
Stable Isotope Biomarker Breath Test for Diagnosing Metabolic and Infectious Diseases
Speaker: Dr. Cinthia Goldman
Speaker’s Institution: University of Buenos Aires, Argentina
This lecture delves into the use of stable isotope biomarker breath tests as a diagnostic tool for metabolic and infectious diseases. Attendees will learn about the scientific principles behind stable isotopes, the methodology of breath tests, and their applications in clinical settings. The lecture will highlight case studies demonstrating the effectiveness of these tests in diagnosing conditions such as Helicobacter pylori infections and metabolic disorders.
An Introduction to the Application of Stable Isotope Tracers in Nutritional and Medical Sciences.
Speakers: Dr Daniel Wilkinson and Dr. Matthew Brook
Speaker’s Institution: University of Nottingham, United Kingdom
Dr. Daniel Wilkinson and Dr. Matthew Brook will introduce stable isotopes and their application in nutritional and medical research. Particularly relating to selection of appropriate tracers for the research question, typical research designs and implementation of these studies for the most optimal outcomes. This will include how stable isotope tracers can be applied across cells, to animals and humans. In addition to selection of analytical instrumentation required for analyses. Amongst other key aspects.
Natural Abundance Stable Isotope Biomarkers as a Tool in Nutritional Epidemiology
Speakers: Diane O’Brian
Speaker’s Institution: University of Alaska Fairbanks
In this lecture, Dr. Diane O’Brien will explore the innovative use of stable isotope techniques in nutritional epidemiology. Her lab investigates how natural abundance stable isotope ratios can be employed to answer pivotal questions in both nutritional epidemiology and nutritional ecology. The research focuses on evaluating biomarkers of dietary components significant to Alaska Native health, such as traditional food intake from fish and marine mammals, and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption.
Dr. O’Brien has conducted multiple controlled feeding studies to refine biomarker models for added sugars and animal protein, applicable to the general U.S. population. She is particularly interested in how stable isotope measurements of specific molecules or classes of molecules can provide more sensitive and specific biomarkers for certain foods. This talk will provide a comprehensive overview of natural abundance stable isotope biomarkers, highlighting their strengths, limitations, and future research directions.
Stable Isotope Tracers in Metabolic Research: Applications in Diabetes, Obesity, and Cardiovascular Diseases
Speakers: Dr. Jennifer Rood
Speaker’s Institution: Louisiana State University, United States of America
In her lecture, Dr. Jennifer Rood will delve into the use of stable isotope tracers as a powerful tool in metabolic research. She will discuss how these tracers are applied to study the intricate metabolic pathways involved in diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. The talk will highlight the latest advancements and methodologies in stable isotope technology, showcasing its role in measuring nutrient metabolism, and metabolic flux. Dr. Rood will also present key findings from her research, demonstrating how stable isotope tracers can provide deeper insights into the effects of diet composition on metabolic health and the potential therapeutic benefits of dietary interventions. This lecture promises to offer valuable knowledge for researchers and clinicians seeking to enhance their understanding of metabolic diseases and improve patient outcomes through advanced metabolic research techniques.
Doubly Labeled Water Method: Technical Considerations and Insights from the IAEA Database on Human Energy Expenditure Across Lifespan
Speakers: Dr. John Speakman
Speaker’s Institution: University of Aberdeen, Scotland; Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
Dr. John Speakman will delve into the intricacies of the Doubly Labeled Water (DLW) method, a robust and validated form of indirect calorimetry that utilizes stable isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen to accurately measure the body’s production of carbon dioxide. His lecture will highlight the technical considerations involved in applying DLW to measure human energy expenditure. Drawing from insights derived from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Database, he will discuss how this comprehensive repository, spanning diverse age groups, geographic regions, and health conditions, provides invaluable insights into energy expenditure patterns. These insights will significantly enhance our understanding of energy metabolism processes across the human lifespan, thereby shaping our knowledge of health-related conditions and environmental influences.
Use of Stable Isotope Techniques in Human Skeletal Muscle Research in Health and Disease
Speakers: Dr. Matthew Brook and Dr Daniel Wilkinson
Speaker’s Institution: University of Nottingham, United Kingdom
This talk will move on from the first talk introducing stable isotope techniques to highlight key applications and examples of studies where these techniques have been utilized in the study of human skeletal muscle health and disease states. Dr Daniel Wilkinson and Dr. Matthew Brook will focus on the application of stable isotope tracers to measure acute and chronic measure of muscle metabolism in response to activity, inactivity, and aging. Further, the talk will highlight how these techniques can be applied to clinical environments and how omics techniques can be used to capture a holistic understanding of skeletal muscle metabolism in health and disease.
Stable Isotope Techniques for Micronutrients Assessment and Requirements
Speaker: Dr Sherry Tanumihardjo
Speaker’s Institution: University of Wisconsin – Madison, United States of America
Dr. Sherry Tanumihardjo will present her pioneering work on the 13C2-retinol isotope dilution test, a robust technique for assessing vitamin A status in both research and clinical contexts. This method is widely recognized for its effectiveness in evaluating large human populations and has been instrumental in supporting comprehensive vitamin A assessments. She will offer valuable insights gained from her collaborations with various studies, including research on the impact of nutritionally enhanced crops on vitamin A status in Zambia and the US. Furthermore, Dr. Tanumihardjo will discuss her ongoing research at the UW-Madison Clinical Research Unit, focusing on vitamin A absorption. This research aims to provide essential data to optimize the formulation of fortified bouillon, thereby enhancing vitamin A status among populations globally.
Additionally, Dr. Tanumihardjo will delve into the application of stable isotope techniques for assessing iron and zinc levels, highlighting their significance in nutritional studies. Her comprehensive presentation will illuminate crucial advancements in micronutrient assessment and requirements, offering a deeper understanding of how these techniques can shape public health strategies worldwide.
Experience in Latin America Using Stable Isotopes to Measure Body Composition Throughout Life
Speaker: Manuel Ramirez-Zea
Speaker’s Institution: Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (Guatemala)
In this presentation, Dr. Ramirez will showcase his extensive work conducted over the past 20 years in Latin America related to body composition across different life stages. From children and adolescents to adults and the elderly, the lecture will highlight the use of stable isotopes as a valuable tool in measuring body composition and understanding its relationship with health and disease conditions. He will explore the significant findings and advancements made in this region, providing insights into the application of stable isotope dilution technique in diverse populations.
