About us
The Diet and Gastrointestinal Health Group is led by Professor Victor Preedy and aims to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms that lead to non-communicable disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Areas of expertise include inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease and irritable bowel syndrome, and the extent to which these are influenced by diet.
A major focus is the role of the gastrointestinal microbiota in health and disease, and in particular their interaction with genetics and the immune system in inflammatory bowel disease and coeliac disease. We specialise in investigating how this interaction can be modified, for example, using pharmacogenetics and dietary approaches. Examples of dietary approaches include:
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probiotics and prebiotics
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modification of fibre and fermentable carbohydrate consumption
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development of gluten-free dietary interventions
In addition, we use proteomic techniques to study the effects of trauma and alcohol on protein turnover and tissue repair, and the effects of oxidative stress on these processes.
Research in the Diet and Gastrointestinal Health Group is funded by the European Union, the BBSRC, industry and various medical research charities.