Nutrigenomics - Endowed Chair

9-19-08

We are seeking to establish an Endowed Chair in Nutrigenomics to lead the Center for Economic Excellence in Molecular Nutrition.

A world-class scientist will be selected as the endowed chair, with responsibility to initiate collaborative research and partnerships related to plant nutrients and their interaction with genes that cause obesity and obesity-related conditions.

Obesity-related conditions
Obesity-related conditions include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, osteoarthritis, gallbladder disease, and certain cancers. Together these comprise the second leading cause of preventable death, equaled only by tobacco related diseases.

Nutrigenomics
Nutrigenomics is a relatively new science that identifies disease susceptibility genes, investigates how foods or dietary supplements turn those genes on and off, and examines how those actions affect human health.

The scientist selected as the Clemson University Endowed Chair in Nutrigenomics will:
Focus on the interaction of plant-based nutrients with genes that cause obesity and obesity-related diseases
Explore plant foods as nutraceuticals to identify micronutrients that slow or prevent disease by suppressing related genes
Modify foods to increase their concentrations of healthful compounds

The University will establish an advisory board of partners in industry, academia, and public/private agencies. This advisory board will help guide the endowed chair’s research activities and will further facilitate collaboration.

We need your help
We need your help to make the Clemson University Endowed Chair in Nutrigenomics a reality. The S.C. Legislature has committed to match private funding for such endowments on a dollar-for-dollar basis. But we must raise $2 million in private investments to qualify for the state match.

This investment, along with contributions from the University, will provide the salary for the Endowed Chair in Nutrigenomics and operating funds to recruit graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and new faculty with expertise in obesity-related research.

This investment will lead to:

• New plant varieties with improved nutritional value
• Increased knowledge of how foods affect obesity and health
• Technologies to detect dietary-related disease-causing genes
• Tools for genetic screening to help prevent diet-related diseases
• High-technology businesses and jobs in South Carolina

Please make your pledge before December 13, 2008.
Investments may be earmarked according to your priorities, such as for graduate students, facilities and equipment, or the endowed chair.

Make a pledge by contacting:

Susan Barefoot
Chief Operating Officer
Clemson University Experiment Station
864-656-3140
sbrft@clemson.edu

Page maintained by: Marge Putnam, Marge@clemson.edu