Nicola Payton

• BSc Hons Biomedical Sciences
• Nutrient (Selenium) modulation of gut epithelial inflammatory responses

Bacterial infection and chronic disorders of the gastrointestinal tract associated with ageing are often coupled with a reduced blood flow to the epithelium, resulting in localised hypoxia and inflammation.  Diet has an important role in maintaining the health of the gut, but the precise food components involved and their relationships with the inflammatory signalling pathways are not known.    In this project the student will explore the hypothesis that the micronutrient selenium (Se) taken as part of the diet, helps to protect gut epithelia from hypoxia induced cell damage and consequent inflammation through the regulation of various modulators of the inflammatory response.

Project Supervisor: Dr Judith Hall & Dr Niall Kenneth, Institute of Cell & Molecular Biosciences

Funding Source: Newcastle University