The research in Professor David Rose’s laboratory in the Department of Biology is focused on the human enzymes that recognize and act upon carbohydrates. These enzymes play key roles in multiple aspects of health and disease, including deriving glucose from components of our diets, such as starch and sucrose, and in the synthesis of glycoproteins (proteins that consist of carbohydrates as well as amino acids).
One specific project addresses how carbohydrates in our diets (especially starches) are turned into fuel for the body in the form of glucose. This process is key to nutritional health and also to brain development, in particular. Malfunction of these enzymes, the intestinal-glucosides, leads to serious food intolerances, diabetes and other conditions.
Research into this class of enzymes contributes to fundamental human nutrition; however, it also has potential impact in other areas. Food Science investigates how we digest different types of food, and how that affects our metabolism. With the rise in popularity of plant-based foods, we ingest many varied polysaccharides and we know little about how they are all processed. In Biomedical Science, these enzyme activities are linked to regulation of blood glucose levels and are relevant to many serious conditions such as diabetes and obesity. In addition, they are directly linked to many food intolerances, such as lactose and sucrose intolerance. These can lead to significant, sometimes debilitating conditions in children and adults.
For more stories like this one, please see our 2018-2019 Annual Report.