Dr Cathrina Edwards –

My research is focused on understanding the factors governing the structural and biochemical breakdown of starch-rich plant tissues during digestion. Recent human studies indicate that many edible plant tissues remain structurally intact during gastro-intestinal transit and thereby limit the bioaccessibility (‘release’) of nutrients from food.

The location, rate, and extent of nutrient release during digestive transit is a major determinant of the nutritional value of food, influencing metabolic responses (glycaemia and lipaemia), gut-hormone signaling (e.g., involved in appetite regulation) and caloric uptake.

Most of my research involves systematic studies of the breakdown of complex food materials (particularly pulses, cereals and resistant starch) in different regions of the gastro-intestinal tract. These studies are mainly performed in vitro, using various digestion models which simulate the physiological conditions in different regions of the human gastro-intestinal tract.

Further mechanistic insight is gained by closer examination of partially digested samples, using a combination of techniques, particularly enzyme-kinetic and microstructural approaches. For validation or proof-of-concept purposes, in vivo dietary intervention studies (particularly in healthy humans with a long-standing ileostomy) are of particular interest.

Overall, this research is highly relevant to tackling diet-related disease, particularly malnutrition, obesity and type 2 diabetes. I am actively pursuing opportunities for translation of research findings, for instance working with the food industry to develop new/altered food structures that deliver improved nutritional profiles.

For more information regarding Cathrina’s research visit this link

Watch her Youtube video here