Nutrition & Metabolism Research
METABOLISM RESEARCH LABORATORY
There are four main areas of research interest in this laboratory.
- The in vitro characterization/screening of indigenous flora (seed, leaves, and stem bark) for nutrients, oils, and phytochemicals with medicinal properties.
- Evaluation of non-conventional feed resources for improved livestock production and their (non-conventional feed resources) effects on animal physiology and animal product quality.
- In vivo testing of phytochemicals for their effects on developmental programming of metabolism and nutritional physiology.
- Understanding receptor signalling and applying the research to treating diseases affected by aberrant receptor function
NUTRITION RESEARCH LABORATORY
The laboratory focuses on four main areas of research interest.
- Evaluation of nutrition-based, non-pharmacological approaches in the control of hypertension and its subtypes like masked and isolated nocturnal hypertension.
- Assessing the role of dietary salt intake on the attenuation of nocturnal blood pressure dipping and cardiovascular target organ damage.
- Understanding the role of the metabolic syndrome in the pathogenesis of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.
- Investigating the role of body composition, including skeletal muscle mass and body fat distribution, on cardiometabolic disease risk.
ACADEMIC STAFF
Associate Professor Eliton Chivandi
Professor Kennedy Erlwanger
Associate Professor Muzi Maseko
Dr Michael Madziva
Dr Siphiwe Dlamini
TECHNICAL/RESEARCH STAFF
Dr Monica Gomes
Mrs Mokgadi Maseko
Mrs Mmahiine Mosana
HONORARY RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
Dr Janine Donaldson
Dr Busisani Lembede
PROJECTS AVAILABLE
The potential protective effect of curcumin against alcohol-induced metabolic derangements in growing rats modelling human adolescence exposed to alcohol
For more information contact Associate Prof Eliton Chivandi on Eliton.Chivandi@wits.ac.za