DoST launches nutrition physiology Lab

THE Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DoST-FRNI) has launched the country's first Nutrition Physiology Laboratory to aid in nutrition research and serve the nutritional needs of Filipinos.

FNRI Director Dr. Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa said their agency's commitment to understanding the role of nutrition in the functionality, health, and quality of life of Filipinos.

"With this laboratory, we can ensure that the addition of new methodologies to research and development endeavors firstly in metabolism, in their calorimeters, are available to measure resting metabolic rates, energy expenditure, and other parameters needed in physiology, clinical, or sports nutrition research," she added.

The lab also offers equipment and models that could be used in performing experiments in nutrition research.

Science and Technology Chief Fortunato de la Peña said that the Nutrition Physiology Laboratory was one of the outputs of the DoST Grants-in-Aid funded R&D program titled Healthy Aging Program for Pinoy (HAPPY) Senior Citizens.

"The laboratory showcases the synergy of four key components of human nutrition research: metabolism, physical activity, body composition, and nutrition," he explained.

Angeles-Agdeppa said that the laboratory aims to stimulate collaboration across different disciplines and specializations. It also seeks to bridge the different research components with the use of state-of-the-art technologies and equipment to shed more light on understanding the human body.

Similarly, it hopes to introduce these technologies to the communities and stimulate new innovative solutions that are grounded in science.

FNRI will craft a nutrition physiology research roadmap that will cater to all population groups and standardize the process to sustain and maintain the laboratory. It will also ensure accessibility to stakeholders for research or academic purposes.

Source: TheManila Times