Vitamin D status, related gene polymorphisms, and physical function in elders

应聘者描述(申请人提供)：应聘者：应聘者为内科老年学与老年医学部讲师。她之前的研究经验集中在营养和肥胖对老年人身体功能和残疾的作用。收到这份MRSDA将提供遗传学和遗传流行病学方面的培训，以检查基因-环境(例如营养和体力活动)对身体机能的影响。应聘者将接受遗传学、遗传流行病学和遗传数据分析方面的教学培训，以及识别维生素D相关基因多态的动手培训。研究：这项研究将在LIFE先导研究中检查维生素D状态(循环25(OH)D和甲状旁腺素)和维生素D相关基因多态(例如，维生素D受体(VDR)基因)对肌肉力量和身体功能的关联。LIFE先导研究是一项随机对照试验，比较了体力活动干预和成功的老龄化计划对老年人活动障碍的影响。假设低维生素D状态和维生素D相关基因多态将与：(A)基线水平的肌肉力量和身体功能较低；(B)成功的老龄化计划参与者的肌肉力量和身体功能下降的比率较高；以及(C)身体活动干预参与者的肌肉力量和身体功能改善的比率较低。复制数据集IDEA研究将被用来重新评估维生素D相关基因多态性对肌肉力量和身体功能的影响。她获得的知识将为她在遗传学和身体机能和残疾方面的基因-环境相互作用领域的独立研究生涯提供基础。环境：维克森林大学医学院拥有一流的研究环境，资深导师包括流行病学、衰老和残疾(Stephen Kritchevsky博士)、分子遗传学(Donald Bowden博士)和遗传数据分析(Carl Langefeld博士)。相关性：维生素D缺乏在老年人中很常见，可能会加速残疾过程。了解维生素D与维生素D相关基因变异和维持身体功能之间的关系，对公共卫生具有重要意义。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): CANDIDATE: The candidate is an Instructor in the Section on Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine. Her previous research experience focused on the role of nutrition and obesity on physical function and disability in older adults. Receipt of this MRSDA will provide training in genetics and genetic epidemiology in order to examine gene-environment (e.g., nutrition and physical activity) interactions on physical function. The candidate will acquire didactic training in genetics, genetic epidemiology, and analysis of genetic data, as well as hands on training to identify polymorphisms in vitamin D-related genes. RESEARCH: This study will examine the association between vitamin D status, as indicated by circulating 25(OH)D and PTH, and vitamin D-related gene polymorphisms (e.g., vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene) on muscle strength and physical function in the LIFE Pilot Study, a randomized controlled trial contrasting the effect of a physical activity intervention versus a successful aging program on incident mobility disability in older adults. The hypotheses are that low vitamin D status and vitamin D- related gene polymorphisms will be associated with (a) lower levels of muscle strength and physical function at baseline; (b) higher rates of decline in muscle strength and physical function among successful aging program participants; and (c) lower rates of improvement in muscle strength and physical function among physical activity intervention participants. A replication dataset, the IDEA Study, will be used to reevaluate the effects of vitamin D-related gene polymorphisms on muscle strength and physical function. The knowledge she acquires will provide the basis for an independent research career in the areas of genetics and gene-environment interactions on physical function and disability. ENVIRONMENT: The research environment at Wake Forest University School of Medicine is excellent with senior experienced mentors in epidemiology, aging, and disability (Dr. Stephen Kritchevsky); molecular genetics (Dr. Donald Bowden); and analysis of genetic data (Dr. Carl Langefeld). RELEVANCE: Vitamin D insufficiency is common in older adults and may accelerate the disablement process. Understanding the relationship between vitamin D and variations in vitamin D-related genes and the maintenance of physical function is of significant public health importance.