About Us

Welcome to the Human Nutraceutical Research Unit (HNRU) website. The HNRU is an educational and research facility within the Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences (HHNS) at the University of Guelph. We specialize in clinical trials of foods and natural health products for human health. There are many exciting projects happening in the HNRU, so be sure to explore this site often for more information and feel free to contact us with your questions or comments.

Check out our Visiting the HNRU video to learn more about us!

Disclaimer: The footage for this video was filmed prior to COVID-19. The HNRU adheres to all current public health policies.

0:00-0:01 [Cheerful music plays throughout video. White screen background appears with logo of the University of Guelph (on the left-hand side); College of Biological Sciences in red text (on the middle right, on the same line as the logo); Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences in black text (directly below the College of Biological Sciences text).]

0:02-0:03 [Screen changes to show logo of the University of Guelph (on the left-hand side); abbreviation HNRU in red text (on the middle right, on the same line as the logo); Human Nutraceutical Research Unit in black text (directly below the HNRU text).]

0:04- 0:07 [Screen changes to show a street view across Gordon Street looking towards the HNRU building which is on the side of the Food Science Building. People are walking on the street and cars are driving past. Text appears in white, at the bottom of the screen.] Text: Find us on the University of Guelph campus, just off Gordon Street near College Avenue.

0:07-0:09 [Screen changes to show an enlarged image of a building directory sign showing McGilvray Street. The Food Science building is in the background. Text remains in white, at the bottom of the screen.] Text: Find us on the University of Guelph campus, just off Gordon Street near College Avenue.

0:09- 0:11 [Screen changes to show the Food Science building with the HNRU beside it, from McGilvray Street. Text appears in white, at the bottom left of the screen.] Text: 88 McGilvray Street.

0:11- 0:20 [Screen changes to show a participant standing in front of the HNRU, paying the parking meter. The video fast forwards to show the man paying the meter, walking towards the HNRU building. The video continues at normal speed, a student walks up and holds the front door open for the first man, who walks through. The student follows. Text appears in white, at the bottom left of the screen.] Text: Metered Parking.

0:20-0:22 [Screen changes to show the reception desk and waiting area of the HNRU. One participant walks in and a student welcome hers with a hand shake and smile. Text appears in white, at the bottom left of the screen.] Text: Welcome!

0:22-0:28 [Screen changes to show the participant and a student walking to the sampling bay. The camera quickly shifts to the HNRU manager’s office with HNRU Manager inside of the office. Text appears in white, at the bottom right of the screen.] Text: HNRU Manager on-site to oversee day-to-day activities.

0:28-0:41 [Camera shifts slightly to the right to show a phlebotomist and participant coming out of the HNRU laboratory. The participant has an intravenous line in their arm, while another participant is sitting in the waiting area, reading a magazine. Student presents a tray of food samples to participant with the IV line. Text appears in white, at the bottom left of the screen.] Text: Medically trained phlebotomists and student researchers guide study visits.

0:41-0:48 [Camera turns to focus on the waiting area. A student enters to greet the participant who has been sitting in the waiting area. The video fast forwards to show the student and the participant walking together to the sampling bay.]

0:48-0:55 [Screen changes to show a student interviewing a participant. Participant asks questions and then signs the consent form. Text appears in white, at the bottom right of the screen.] Text: your informed consent is always obtained before a study begins.

0:55-1:02 [Screen changes to show a student taking body measurements of a participant. The student measures and records the participant’s blood pressure and weight in the sampling bay. Text appears in white, at the top left of the screen.] Text: Private sampling bays for body measurements.

1:02-1:05 [Screen changes to show the kitchen area where a student is pointing to the instructions for the food sample in a sealed bag to a participant. Text appears in white, at the bottom right of the screen.] Text: There is always a lot of opportunity to ask questions.

1:05-1:11 [Screen changes to show the same student sitting down beside the participant, speaking to him. A binder is open between them. Text remains at the bottom right of the screen.] Text: There is always a lot of opportunity to ask questions.

1:11-1:13 [Screen changes to show the inside of the lab room where student is in proper lab attire. In the background, a curtain is pulled back by another student, who is holding a clipboard and speaking to a participant. Text appears in white, at the bottom right of the screen.] Text: Sample collection with our medical trained phlebotomists.

1:13-1:15 [Screen changes to show the participant shaking the phlebotomist’s hand. Text remains at the bottom right of the screen.] Text: Sample collection with our medical trained phlebotomists.

1:15-1:18 [Screen changes to show the participant helped into the phlebotomy chair by the phlebotomist. Text remains at the bottom right of the screen.] Text: Sample collection with our medical trained phlebotomists.

1:18-1:24 [Screen changes to show the phlebotomist collecting blood samples from the participant.]

1:24-1:30 [Screen changes to show the lab room where one research student is making a detailed recording before storing blood samples on ice.]

1:30-1:38 [Screen changes to show the inside of the laboratory where three research students in proper lab attire are performing lab tasks. Camera follows one of the research students as she moves a box of serum samples to the lab freezer. Text appears in white, at the bottom left of the screen.] Text: Laboratory facilities for sample processing, analysis and storage.

1:38-1:43 [Screen changes to show the computer area where two research students are looking at the computer and analysing the data they have entered. The camera pulls further and shows that all students in the student research area are working individually. Text appears in white, at the bottom right of the screen.] Text: Student work area for data management and analysis.

1:43-1:55 [Screen changes to show the visitor resting area where there are couches and a TV available for participants. One of the participants is sitting on the couch while a phlebotomist takes a blood sample taken by intravenous catheter. Text appears in white, at the bottom of the screen.] Text: Postprandial lounge features a television and Wi-Fi access for longer visits.

1:55-2:01 [Screen changes to show the inside of the Metabolic Test Kitchen. A research student is preparing the sample product in a pot on the stove for sensory testing. Text appears in white, at the bottom of the screen.] Text: Metabolic Test Kitchen for preparing study products.

2:01-2:04 [Screen changes to show the food samples being transferred into sample cups and put on the tray with a spoon and napkins, ready for testing. The video fast forwards to show the research student transferring the tray to the food sensory booth.]

2:05-2:08 [Screen changes to show the inside of the food sensory booth, showing the food being passed to the participant through the window.]

2:08-2:12 [Screen changes to show the participant receiving and consuming the food samples in the individual booth. Text appears in white, at the top right of the screen.] Text: Private booths for product evaluations.

2:12-2:16 [Screen changes to show two participants completing food questionnaires that are displayed on a screen on the inside of each individual booth.]

2:16-2:17 [Screen changes to show a participant retrieving his jacket from the hook.

2:17-2:25 [Screen changes to show a student accompanying the participant to the HNRU entrance. The video fast forwards to show the participant walking to the exit and waving goodbye before exiting the building.]

2:25-2:28 [The participant leaves the building and walks down the sidewalk.]

2:28-2:32 [Screen changes to show an image of the entrance to the HNRU that is gradually faded out behind black text.] Text: For more information visit our website www.uoguelph.ca/hnru or contact us at hnru@uoguelph.ca

2:32-2:34 [Screen changes to show a white background with the University of Guelph logo (on the left-hand side); Improve Life appears in black text (on the right-hand side); both gradually fade out along with the music.]