Matthew Barnett

Matthew Barnett graduated from the University of Auckland in May 2005 with a PhD in Biological Sciences. The work in his doctoral thesis focused on the influence of maternal nutrition during pregnancy and lactation on the health of the offspring, with particular reference to risk factors for Type-2 diabetes.
Dr. Barnett is now working within AgResearch Limited as a Post-Doctoral Fellow funded by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology. This work is under the umbrella of Nutrigenomics New Zealand (NuNZ). The focus of NuNZ is to understand the interaction between nutrition and an individual’s genotype to provide personalized nutrition for the amelioration of disease and improved health.
Dr. Barnett’s other interests include music (with 3 CDs to his credit), reading and woodwork, and he is currently planning to develop a lifestyle block in Oratia, nestled in the foothills of the Waitakere Ranges. He has been happily married for 4 and a half years.

Abstract

ANIMAL MODELS, MICROARRAYS AND TRANSCRIPTOMICS
MPG Barnett*, WC McNabb*, Y Dommels1* and NC Roy*.
Metabolism & Microbial Genomics Section, Food & Health Group, AgResearch Limited, Palmerston North, New Zealand, 1Crop & Food Research, Palmerston North, New Zealand

The use of in vivo models is an important step between the in vitro testing of food compounds, and the introduction of these compounds into human diets. Nutrigenomics New Zealand is initially focusing on Crohn's Disease, an inflammatory bowel disease, and it is therefore important to use an appropriate animal model for in vivo experiments.

Nutrigenomics New Zealand currently uses two mouse models of intestinal inflammation; the interleukin-10 knockout (IL-10 KO), and multi-drug resistance 1 knockout (MDR1 KO). We will soon be introducing a third model, the nucleotide-binding and oligomerisation domain 2 knockout (NOD2 KO) mouse. NOD2 is an intracellular receptor for bacterial cell wall components and plays an important role in initiating immune responses against cyto-invasive pathogens. It is also one of the first genes that have been implicated in the development of Crohn's Disease.

The rationale behind the choice of these models, the experimental approaches used, and how these fit into the overall objectives of Nutrigenomics New Zealand will be outlined. The primary outcome from these models is microarray and proteomic data; generation and analysis of this data will be discussed, and some results to date will be shown.

* Nutrigenomics New Zealand is a collaboration between AgResearch Limited, Crop & Food Research, HortResearch and The University of Auckland and is largely funded by the Foundation of Research, Science and Technology (FRST). MPG Barnett is funded by FRST Postdoctoral Fellowship AGRX0504.