Results from the Mohn Nutrition Research Laboratory
The Mohn Nutrition Research Laboratory was opened in 2018 as a node in UiB’s Center for Nutrition which coordinates nutrition research at UiB and HUS. The investment in the nutrition research laboratory built on the results of projects in nutrition research previously supported by the Frank Mohn Foundation at HUS and UiB (16 MNOK in 2011). The support from the foundation was granted over five years and focused on clinical nutrition research with a clear translational approach. The aim was to further develop clinical nutrition research in Bergen both at the host institution and at Haukeland University Hospital. The laboratory was most interested in obesity and malnutrition, two of the most important health challenges linked to nutrition in the Western world. To achieve this aim, the researchers combined for example fundamental basic studies with clinical and epidemiological studies.
In the final report to the foundation, the head of the center reports that most of the activities were directed towards research into obesity: The researchers have carried out a large clinical study which should shed light on the role of carbohydrates in the diet of patients who want to lose weight (CarbFunk study, approximately 200 participants over 2 years). As of today, the scientists have published five scientific articles about the study and are currently working on several other articles. At the same time, progress was made in examining the effect of nutrition directly in cells and the cells’ response to various metabolites. The researchers also worked with mouse models. The corona pandemic put a stop to the second major study that was supposed to put the spotlight on malnutrition in the elderly, but in collaboration with UiO researchers from the center have designed an app that can help diagnose and treat malnutrition in the elderly when they are in hospital.
During the 5-year funding period, 4 PhDs and 3 post-docs were employed, and the permanent scientific staff was expanded with a new professor and a new associate professor. This contributed to greater visibility and an increase in the number of publications. Approximately 100 scientific articles were published in the 5-year period, among these articles in recognized journals such as Cell, Cell metabolism and nature communications.
The laboratory has been very active in communication with the outside world and has established a good collaboration with the Sprek editorial team in Bergens Tidende (BT), which writes about exercise and diet. The laboratory provided expert opinions for 9 Sprek articles which were also published in Aftenposten and Stavanger Arbeiderblad in addition to BT, so that a broad national audience was reached. The laboratory’s researchers have also participated in the recently concluded work on the research-based update of Nordic nutrition recommendations, which form the knowledge base for the Directorate of Health’s new dietary advice 2024, which will be published in August 2024.
In her feedback to the foundation, the project leader writes that the project funds contributed to significantly increased visibility and recognition of nutrition research nationally and internationally and that it was motivating to experience great trust in the Laboratory’s expertise, commitment, resources and results from the foundation’s side.
The center will continue to exist after the end of the funding period: Structured education of younger nutrition researchers is ensured through a national research school in nutrition research that the Research Council of Norway supports from 2022 to 2030. The medical faculty at UiB continues to focus on nutrition research and will continue to support the center with, for example, administrative support and access to infrastructures and workspace.
Photo frontpage: Anja Hegen
Portrait Jutta Dierkes: UiB
