Dr. Robert F. P. Bertolo
Canada Research Chair in Human Nutrition
Phone: 709-864-8530
E-mail: rbertolo@mun.ca
Achievements: Invented the first accurate, rapid method to determine metabolic availability of amino acids; pioneered several other novel approaches for the study of intestinal metabolism; two patents pending; recipient of many prestigious awards, most notably an NSERC postdoctoral fellowship.
Research Involves: Basic scientific and clinical research to increase understanding about the role of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in amino acid metabolism; applying this knowledge to develop effective nutritional therapies for patients with gastrointestinal problems.
Research Relevance: Developing more nutritional diets for patients suffering from gastrointestinal diseases will minimize the debilitating effects of such diseases and improve overall quality of life.
Digesting the Facts
Until recently, the small intestine was generally considered merely a digestive organ responsible to absorb dietary nutrients and deliver them to other organs. But new research shows that the small intestine is a very important metabolic organ capable of consuming a large proportion of dietary nutrients – particularly amino acids – before they can ever be distributed to the rest the body. Although evidence indicates that a significant proportion of dietary amino acids appear to be extracted by the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), how much remains a mystery, as does knowledge about the fate of these amino acids within the GIT. Finding the answers to these questions is the focus of Dr. Bertolo’s research.
Dr. Bertolo realizes that uncovering these secrets is critical to improving our understanding of the role of the GIT in whole body amino acid metabolism. In turn, this will lead to improved nutritional strategies for patients suffering from various gastrointestinal diseases. His overarching research goal is to describe the role of the GIT in amino acid metabolism, especially as it pertains to early development and then exploit this knowledge to advance nutritional therapies for patients.
This integrated program involves basic science, animal models and human patients. Initially, Dr. Bertolo will test a wide variety of state-of-the-art techniques and approaches (e.g., isotope kinetics, cell metabolism, protein biochemistry, surgery and clinical care) in piglet models. Since the biological makeup of pigs closely resembles that of the human body, Dr. Bertolo can then build on this research to develop and clinically test the effectiveness of certain nutritional diets in human patients.
In addition to attracting graduate and undergraduate students, and trainees interested in expanding their skill base, Dr. Bertolo expects to form strong collaborations with researchers working in such disciplines as nutrition, biochemistry, biology and agriculture, and in medical research such as gastroenterology, pediatrics and pharmacology.
