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Nutrigenomics and Nutritional Epigenetics – The State of the Science in Academia

Grosh, Kimberly Coile
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1308247018

Abstract Details

2011, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Human Ecology: Human Nutrition.
Nutrigenomics and epigenetics are not yet independent professional degrees in American graduate academia. Further, where in professional science this union between environmental and genetic regulation of health and disease state belongs isn't well characterized. The objectives of this study were to determine which American colleges or universities are training and researching in nutrigenomics and epigenetics, and what might characterize the successful training and research for professional development of such academic fields. We hypothesized that schools with strong supportive academics and funding would be the most likely to train and research in nutrigenomics and epigenetics. To test this hypothesis an internet survey of government-supported databases was conducted to determine which schools were producing the most graduates and receiving the most funding in supportive academics and research. An online questionnaire was then sent to academic and/or research program directors of nutrition, genetics, or related departments to directly measure the presence of, characteristics of, and perspectives on nutrigenomics and epigenetics in academic science. There was a general consensus found for the terminology of nutrigenomics and epigenetics, and for the relevance of nutrigenomics across science disciplines. At least 40% of schools offering doctoral degrees in nutrition and/or genetics have three or more supporting academics or funding fields in the 25th percentile for that field, and approximately 22% have both. Almost half of schools (> 41%) have specialized research grants in gene-environment studies, epigenetics/epigenomics, or both. Stronger academics were found more often than stronger funding in specialized research grant-awarded schools. Over a quarter of directly surveyed institutions (27%) reported current training or research (interdisciplinary programs) in nutrigenomics, 67% in epigenetics, and 17% in both. Most institutions (80%) are planning to further incorporate nutrigenomics and/or epigenetics, and 88% feel they should be studied concurrently. While institutions with comprehensive research across cancer, medicine, the biological sciences, and public health were major researchers, it was not funding, or one specific discipline that determined the extent of nutrigenomic and epigenetic research. Nutrigenomics and epigenetics are found more often at institutions as interdisciplinary-based programs, however, recommendations given most often as preparatory for graduate study in nutrigenomics was nutrition and biochemistry with supporting genetics coursework.
Lydia Medeiros, PhD (Advisor)
Amanda Bird, PhD (Committee Chair)
59 p.
Nutrition
nutrigenomics; nutritional epigenetics; graduate academia

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Grosh, K. C. (2011). Nutrigenomics and Nutritional Epigenetics – The State of the Science in Academia [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1308247018

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Grosh, Kimberly. Nutrigenomics and Nutritional Epigenetics – The State of the Science in Academia. 2011. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1308247018.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Grosh, Kimberly. "Nutrigenomics and Nutritional Epigenetics – The State of the Science in Academia." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1308247018

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1308247018
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© 2011, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.
Release 3.2.12