Collaborators

How can the HNRU work with you?

Check out our Partnering in HNRU Research video that summarizes how the HNRU can work with you.

Partnering in HNRU Research Video

0:00-0:04 [Cheerful music plays in the background throughout the 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).]

0:04-0:07 [Screen changes to show Dr. Amanda Wright speaking directly to the camera, in front of the Human Nutraceutical Research Unit entrance. Black text on a white background slides into the bottom right hand corner of the screen and then slides off the screen again.] Audio (Dr. Amanda Wright): What better place to study food and nutrition, than the University of Guelph? Text: Dr. Amanda Wright, Ph.D. HNRU Director & HHNS Faculty.

0:07-0:10 [Screen changes to show the University of Guelph sign, the camera slowly zooms in.] Audio voiceover (Dr. Amanda Wright): We are Canada’s Food University.

0:10-0:20 [Screen changes to show the Animal Science Nutrition building and entrance to the Human Nutraceutical Research Unit.] Audio voiceover (Dr. Amanda Wright): The University has a long history of expertise in the domains of agriculture, food and health, and the Human Nutraceutical Research Unit is one of the initiatives that grew out of this rich tradition.

0:20-0:26 [Screen changes to show two students pipetting blood samples in the HNRU laboratory and Dr. Alison Duncan explaining a bar graph to a small group of students in the HNRU seminar room.] Audio voiceover (Dr. Amanda Wright): We continue to foster a unique and collaborative training environment to bring research ideas to fruition.

0:26-0:31 [Screen changes to show a group photo of the Human Health and Nutritional Science Faculty members.] Audio voiceover (Dr. Amanda Wright): The HNRU is such a dynamic environment, it draws on faculty from across the Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences.

0:31-0:42 [Screen changes to show Dr. Alison Duncan speaking directly to the camera, in the Metabolic Test Kitchen in the HNRU. As she is talking, black text on a white background slides into the bottom right hand corner of the screen and then slides off the screen again.] Audio (Dr. Alison Duncan): The HNRU really is a community. It’s an educational and research unit that revolves around training students, and completing high quality clinical trials in food and natural health products. Text: Dr. Alison Duncan, Ph.D., R.D. HNRU Associate Director & HHNS Faculty.

0:42-0:46 [Screen changes to show Dr. Lawrence Spriet speaking directly to the camera, in his office. As he is talking, black text on a white background slides into the bottom right hand corner of the screen and then slides off the screen again.] Audio (Dr. Lawrence Spriet): The HNRU is core to meeting our Department’s goals. Text: Dr. Lawrence Spriet, Ph.D. HHNS Department Chair.

0:46-0:58 [Screen changes to show Dr. Lawrence Spriet speaking directly to the camera, in his office, at a different angle.] Audio (Dr. Lawrence Spriet): Not only does it provide the ability of our researchers to do their work in that facility, but it also allows us to attract interested parties from outside the University, to come to the University and conduct research.

0:58-1:05 [Screen changes to show Dr. David Mutch speaking directly to the camera, in the HNRU. As he is talking, black text on a white background slides into the bottom right hand corner of the screen and then slides off the screen again.] Audio (Dr. David Mutch): Well, I think it’s the breadth of research that happens here that often surprises people. We are able to accomplish an awful lot here. Text: Dr. David Mutch, Ph.D. HNRU Associate Director & HHNS Faculty.

1:05-1:13 [Screen changes to show gloved hands of a researcher, transferring a cuvette to a glucose autoanalyzer and then recording the glucose value on the record sheet in the HNRU laboratory. Black text on a translucent white background appears on top of the video.] Audio voiceover (Dr. David Mutch): Among our HNRU Management Committee alone, we have specialized training in Dietetics, Nutrigenomics, Food Science and Exercise Science Text: Specialized training in -Dietetics -Nutrigenomics -Food Science -Exercise Science.

1:13- 1:19 [Screen changes to show a phlebotomist checking a study participant’s intravenous line tubing and tape, in the HNRU kitchenette.] Audio voiceover (Dr. Amanda Wright): The HNRU contributes to interdisciplinary research across campus.

1:17-1:22 [Screen changes to show a phlebotomist speaking to participant with an intravenous line saline drip.] Audio voiceover (Dr. Amanda Wright): The ability to carry out human level research in the HNRU, adds value to our collaborations.

1:22-1:36 [Screen changes to show Dr. Lisa Duizer speaking directly to the camera, in the Food Science Formulation Lab. As she is talking, black text on a white background slides into the bottom right hand corner of the screen and then slides off the screen again.] Audio (Dr. Lisa Duizer): The synergy between the HNRU and what I do for my research program, is actually really quite incredible, because I want to know how people like food and then we can use research in the HNRU to see what it’s doing in the body. Text: Dr. Lisa Duizer, Ph.D. Department of Food Science Associate Chair.

1:36-1:49 [Screen changes to show a student in proper lab attire, holding a tray of food samples and walking towards the food sensory testing cubicle participant windows. Student passes food samples to participant for completing a questionnaire. Screen changes to show phlebotomist taking blood samples for a participant by intravenous catheter.] Audio voiceover (Dr. Lisa Duizer): From a human participant perspective, we have a great ability to look at people’s responses, not only when they’re eating a food, but when they’re actually digesting the food, and I think that’s a very unique position.

1:50-1:57 [Screen changes to show Dr. Amanda Wright speaking directly to the camera, in front of the HNRU entrance.] Audio (Dr. Amanda Wright): We really value the opportunity to work with others who want to establish evidence that foods and natural health products contributes positively to human health.

1:57-2:05 [Screen changes to show an image of labelled blood samples in a test tube rack. Black text on a translucent white background appears on top of the image.] Text: “Teamwork is key to success and this was the case for our purple wheat research project when AAFC-GRDC and U of G-HNRU worked together with industry. This sets an excellent model for collaborative research among government, academia and industry.” Elsayed Abdel-Aal, Ph.D. Associated Director of Research, Developmental & Technology Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada-Guelph Research & Developmental Centre.

2:06-2:11 [Screen changes to show two students from behind working on a laptop in the HNRU seminar room. Previous black text on a translucent white background remains on top of the video.]

2:11-2:14 [Screen changes to show participants sitting in panelist booths in the Sensory Laboratory, completing the food sensory test questionnaire.] Audio voiceover (Dr. Amanda Wright): The HNRU has an excellent infrastructure for conducting human clinical trials.

2:14-2:20 [Screen changes to show an HNRU phlebotomist taking blood samples from a study participant in the sampling bay.] Audio voiceover (Dr. Amanda Wright): We have medically trained phlebotomists on staff who take blood samples, and we engage other health care professionals in the work we do.

2:20-2:31 [Screen changes to show an HNRU research student working in the fume hood of the laboratory. Black text on a translucent white background appears on top of the video.] Text: “I found that the faculty and staff were very accommodating, and I believe we generated some very useful data. I would be very happy to collaborate again if the opportunity arises.” Dr. Susan Stephenson Guelph Family Health Team Physician.

2:31-2:36 [Screen changes to show Dr. Amy Tucker speaking directly to the camera, in her office. As she is talking, black text on a white background slides into the bottom right hand corner of the screen and then slides off the screen again.] Audio (Dr. Amy Tucker): In the HNRU, we are expert at designing and executing human clinical trials around foods and natural health products. Text: Dr. Amy Tucker, Ph.D. HNRU Manager.

2:36-2:44 [Screen changes to show a researcher, in proper lab attire, organizing blood samples into a holding rack. Black text on a translucent white background appears on top of the video.] Audio voiceover (Dr. Amy Tucker): We can create a tailored clinical trial experience with our partners, all the way from generating the first hypothesis, to dissemination. Text: Clinical Trial Methodology -Perform Background Literature Review -Create a Customized Protocol -Obtain Regulatory Approvals -Recruit Participants -Collect & Analyze Samples -Manage Data & Complete Statistical Analysis -Prepare Reports and Manuscripts -Disseminate Results

2:44-2:50 [Screen changes to show Dr. Alison Duncan speaking directly to the camera, in the HNRU Metabolic Test Kitchen.] Audio (Dr. Alison Duncan): We want to get the information that we learn, about food and natural health products and health, out to the stakeholders.

2:50-2:59 [Screen changes to show several images of published clinical research papers from students and faculty members. Images of presenters and their posters appear on top. Multiple images of different published online articles appear on top.] Audio voiceover (Dr. Alison Duncan): With our students, we publish our research in peer reviewed journals, present at scientific conferences, and translate key messages through media interviews, and articles in the popular press.

2:59-3:07 [Screen changes to show students sitting in the HNRU seminar room, listening to a lecture.] Audio voiceover (Dr. Amanda Wright): The University of Guelph is a leader in food and health research and training. Because of this integration students really get to appreciate the importance of the field to fork model.

3:07-3:12 [Screen changes to show an image of the entrance to the HNRU that is gradually faded out behind black text.] Audio voiceover (Dr. Amanda Wright): Contact us to learn more about the research in the HNRU, and how you can get involved. Text: For more information visit our website www.uoguelph.ca/hnru or contact us at hnru@uoguelph.ca

3:12-3:15 [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.]

 

The Human Nutraceutical Research Unit (HNRU) provides infrastructure and expertise to help with your clinical trial needs. We regularly collaborate with other academic researchers, industry partners and government agencies to provide high quality human research of foods and natural health products. 

Venn diagram showing HNRU at the centre, with Academic Researchers, Industry Partners and Government Agencies all intersecting.

We provide services related to: literature scans and reviews, clinical trial study design, product development, approvals for human ethics and biosafety, participant recruitment, data collection, sample analysis, statistical analysis and scientific writing. Contact us today to see how the HNRU can help advance your food or natural health products for human health.