Gas chromatography system for basic research on the role of lipids on human health and disease

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Dietary fat contributes importantly to both human health and disease. Fatty acids are important constituents of dietary fat. In nature, there are a great number of different types of fatty acids which differ in chemical structure and hence biological function.   The amount and type of fatty acids are determinants of optimum health and disease. For example, high dietary fat is associated with obesity and cardiovascular disease, which may be made worse through the consumption of trans fats derived from partially hydrogenated oils. In contrast, the inclusion of omega-3 fatty acids from marine oils may have a positive influence and negate some of the deleterious effects of a high fat diet.     Overall, fatty acids contribute significantly to the etiology of many chronic diseases including, obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cancer.  However, the exact mechanisms by which fatty acids contribute to optimum health and disease is not fully understood. Our team of investigators are interested in mechanisms by which dietary fatty acids influence a range of cellular processes and how specific fatty acids contribute to diseases such as obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cancer.  Towards this goal, we are in great need of a Gas Chromatograph System, which will provide us with the analytical capability of identifying and quantifying fatty acids from food and biological sources. This instrument will fill a significant research need of 8 investigators. This will enable graduate students to perform fatty acid analyses which are integral to the completion of thesis research.