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Introduction
This is the first episode in a new series called “Nutrition Science Explained”, in which members of the Sigma team will take a concept commonly mentioned in discussions about nutrition science, and explain what it is, give more background context, and highlight important aspects to know. The goal is to aid listeners to have a deeper understanding of other episodes when such concepts are mentioned.
This first episode discusses the concept of biobanks. And specifically, how they are used in nutrition science. Dr. Niamh Aspell walks through an explanation, gives some examples of studies using biobank data, and highlights advantages and limitations to their use.
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- [02:02]Understanding chronotypes
- [06:26]Measuring chronotypes
- [15:12]Genetic and environmental influences on chronotypes
- [28:34]Health implications of chronotypes
- [52:21]Practical applications
Presenter
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Niamh obtained her BSc in Human Nutrition (UUC) and has been involved in several national and regional research projects. She holds a postgraduate qualification in Applied Statistics, and has collaborated with various research groups on the social, health and economic determinants of healthy ageing. Her PhD was entitled, ‘Vitamin D in ageing: an investigation into the role of vitamin D in cognitive and physical functioning in community older adults’.
She has previously worked on projects exploring the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare, and also as a scientific manager for food clinical trials. She has delivered numerous educational talks to a wide range of audiences including athletes, clinically vulnerable adults and general health and wellbeing for corporate organisations.
Her areas of expertise include study design, population health, research ethics, nutrition and lifestyle interventions, ageing, specifically cognitive health, dementia care, social care and psychosocial wellbeing. She has previously delivered lectures on the Biological Basis of Behaviour and facilitated student learning in Anatomy and Physiology.
Danny Lennon has a master’s degree (MSc.) in Nutritional Sciences from University College Cork, and he is the founder of Sigma Nutrition.
Danny is currently a member of the Advisory Board of the Sports Nutrition Association, the global regulatory body responsible for the standardisation of best practice in the sports nutrition profession.
Detailed Study Notes
What are ‘biobanks’?
The term biobank covers collections of biospecimens, i.e. specimens from plants, animals, and (most relevant to nutrition research) humans.
A biobank is known as a “biorepository”; a place that processes, stores and distributes biospecimens (such as blood or saliva samples) and their associated data for use in research.
Initially, biobanks were operations set-up and managed by small university labs developed for research requirements of specific projects. For example, multi-cohort studies that aimed to collect detailed clinical, lifestyle, dietary, genetic and biochemical data to investigate gene-nutrient interactions in the development of conditions in the early stages of common diseases, or disease free participants.
They are typically prospective in nature, longitudinal investigation so as to re-assess clinical, nutritional, genetic and biochemical factors in relation to the progression of disease outcomes, in subsequent years after the initial baseline investigation.
