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Joint nutritional research will promote health  South Carolina's three  research universities and the S.C. Research Authority announced Wednesday their plans to jointly tackle the state's health problems caused by poor nutrition. The collaboration links resources and research faculty of MUSC, Clemson University, and the University of South Carolina to create the S.C. Nutrition Research Consortium (SCNRC), which will conduct research on nutrition and how it affects the health of South Carolinians. The unprecedented move brings together researchers from fields as varied as medicine, public health, biology, chemistry and agriculture  in one venture to help a state plagued by obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and certain types of cancer. “The South Carolina Nutrition Research Consortium embodies the vision of our state's academic leaders to build a better future for this state,” said Larry Druffel, CEO of the S.C. Research Authority. MUSC President Ray Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D., said the SCNRC bonds experienced teams of scientists and educators from all three universities that already have significant nutrition-related research programs and outreach services under way. “The epidemic of obesity is a challenge to the health of our nation,” Greenberg said. “Here in South Carolina, we see the effects of that epidemic in our exceptionally high rates of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and many other conditions. If, through our research, we can reduce the risk of obesity and other nutritional problems, we can improve the quality of life for millions of our fellow citizens and prevent the premature loss of life.  The three research universities of our state couldn't have a more important issue to work on together. At the Medical University, we are proud to be a part of this effort and look forward to working with our partners at USC and Clemson.” “We are seeing alarming increases in rates of childhood obesity in South Carolina and the nation as a whole,” said Patrick O'Neil, Ph.D., MUSC Weight Management Center director and professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences. “The SCNR consortium brings together MUSC's clinical expertise, USC's public health expertise, and Clemson's food and agricultural science expertise. Rather than competing for outside research support, we are collaborating to increase our capabilities. Rather than butting heads, we're putting them together to create a scientific synergy that will benefit the entire state.” MUSC researchers will also lead a study directed at ways to improve the health of hospital patients, many of whom are malnourished and at risk for problems related to poor nutrition. “Nutrition is a key element in the broad spectrum of interests embraced by MUSC's Digestive  Disease Center,” said Peter B. Cotton, M.D., director of the center who will work with his colleague Mark DeLegge, M.D., on the consortium's project aimed at improving nutritional support to hospitalized patients. “The new research collaboration with the other South Carolina universities has enormous potential and is very exciting,” said Cotton. The consortium also stands to be at the forefront of the nutraceuticals industry, which is a significant contributor to the state's income, Clemson president James Barker said.  “With the recent advances in genomics, physicians and health care workers will soon be able to identify the genes associated with chronic diseases and those nutraceutical products which may be useful in preventing their expression and the onset of disease,” Barker said. “This information will provide the basis for agricultural scientists and growers to develop new plant varieties with enhanced medicinal properties for use in disease prevention. Clemson University is proud to be a part of this unique consortium since it represents a true marriage of agriculture and medicine and positions South Carolina as a leader in the ever expanding areas of disease prevention and wellness in the new millennium.” The research universities and the S.C. Research Authority each have committed $300,000 to fund the $1.2 million consortium. At the outset, researchers will focus on three major initiatives: preventing and treating childhood obesity; understanding how dietary supplements can improve health; and standardizing nutrition for hospital patients. USC President Andrew A. Sorensen, Ph.D., said the collaboration of the state's top research universities to tackle nutrition-related health problems is among the first in the nation. “The impact of nutrition on disease prevention is a relatively new field of research in the United States, and few universities have undertaken an effort of this magnitude,” Sorensen said. “Through this venture, South Carolina is poised to be a national leader in this field.” ‘This is an exciting venture,” said Marilyn Laken, Ph.D., director of special initiatives at MUSC and member of the steering committee of the consortium. “The collaborative aspect has the potential to facilitate important research and bring outside  funding to the state and our universities.”         Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.