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INVESTIGATOR: Si, H.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
3500 JOHN A. MERRITT BLVD
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37209

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN MICRORNA AND NUTRITION RESEARCH USING HUMAN SUBJECTS

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: MicroRNA, a new and powerful tool and randomized clinical trials, the "gold standard" in nutrition and human health research are extremely needed for the applicant at Tennessee State University (TSU). Dr. Jose Ordovás at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA)/Tufts University invited the applicant to join the ongoing NIFA/USDA project "APOA2 Gene, Diet, Inflammation and Gut Health" to investigate the interactions between microRNAs, APOA2 gene and diet patterns in humans. Participating this project will enable the applicant to pursue the three goals of this application: 1) conducting microRNA and nutrition research; 2) being trained using human subjects; and 3) strengthening partnership between HNRCA and TSU. These goals will enhance the applicant's long-term research goal: Investigate the effects and mechanisms of healthy foods on the prevention of chronic diseases in cells, animal models and humans.Dr. Hongwei Si will 1) travel to Boston to conduct experiments for 6 months supervised by Drs. Ordovás and Lai to design the experiments, recruit and screen subjects, conduct diets intervention and collect samples; 2) assess the relationships among microRNA profile, diet patterns and APOA2 gene using next generation sequencing and relevant software; 3) strengthen the long-term collaboration between TSU and HNRCA /Tufts University by publishing articles and generating 1-2 new proposals. Accomplishing this project and continuing collaborations will strengthen Dr. Si's research capacity in competitive funding support and enhance the TSU capacities of research and education in food, nutrition and human health, the long-term goals of NIFA/USDA.

OBJECTIVES: 1) conducting microRNA and nutrition research;2) being trained using human subjects;3) strengthening partnership between Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) and TSU.

APPROACH: Objective 1: Advance Dr. Hongwei Si's capabilities and training using human subjects in genomics, aging and nutrition research supervised by Drs. Ordovás and Lai at HNRCA/Tufts University in Boston, MA. Dr. Si will 1) travel to Boston to conduct experiments for 6 months; 2) understand the entire project, participate the experimental design, protocol making and subjects recruiting; 3) complete the required courses of Protecting Human Research Participants; 4) learn the institutional protocol approving process using human subjects; 5) work with the Metabolic Research Unit staff including recruiting, nursing, dietary, scheduling, and director to participate the whole research process if it is allowed.Objective 2: Determine whether miRNAs involve the interactions between APOA2 gene and diet patterns (animal-based diet vs. plant-based diet) in humans. The applicant will 1) determine the profiles of the miRNA of two groups human subjects using next generation sequencing (15); 2) investigate whether diet patterns affect miRNA levels and profiles; and 3) assess the relationships among miRNA profile, diet patterns and APOA2 gene.

PROGRESS: 2018/03 TO 2020/02
Target Audience:Professional community Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The PI at TSU has completed training using human subjects in research as well as microRNA in nutrition research. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Journal article, and presentation at the national meeting What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

IMPACT: 2018/03 TO 2020/02
What was accomplished under these goals? 1) conducting microRNA and nutrition research; 2) being trained using human subjects; 3) strengthening partnership between Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) and TSU, which supported by two research proposals have been submitted to NIFA by TSU and HNRCA.

PUBLICATIONS (not previously reported): 2018/03 TO 2020/02
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Hongwei Si*, XY Wang, LY Zhang, L D. Parnell, BB Ahmed, T LeRoith, TA Ansah, LJ Zhang, J M. Ordovás, HZ Si, DM Liu, CQ Lai. (2019) Dietary epicatechin improves survival and skeletal muscle function in aged C57BL/6 mice. FASEB Journal 33(1):965-977