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>Faculty> Roy J. Martin
 Roy J. Martin, Director
Professor and Gordon D. Cain Endowed Chair
Human Nutrition and Food Division
School of Human Ecology
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Phone: 225-578-2284
Fax: 225-578-2697
Email: rjmartin@lsu.edu
Research Interests:
Professor Martin is interested in neuronal nutrient sensing mechanisms that are used to control food intake and obesity. The specific aim of his research is to determine the final common signaling mechanisms by which carbohydrates, fatty acids and amino acids are sensed by neurons to regulate neuropeptides involved in feeding behavior. Our main hypothesis is that “nutrient sensing in neuronal cells is tightly coupled to the ATP and AMPK status of the cell. In turn, the nutrient sensing cell of the brain translates this signal of energy need into neuropeptide expression and feeding behavior.”
Research Initiative: Development of a Core Laboratory for In vivo testing of bioactive compounds from Louisiana food products and botanicals.
The primary purpose for a “Proof of Concept” Core Laboratory is to determine the health benefits and mechanisms of bioactive dietary compounds being developed and investigated within LSU AgCenter departments. Current research to improve food quality and prevent disease, including those initiated by the Functional Foods program seed grants, are being developed for testing in animal models:
- Fermentable carbohydrates from sweet potatoes (Horticulture),
- High amylose rice (Agronomy),
- Sugar cane polymers and polysaccharides (Audubon),
- Resistant cornstarch (Human Ecology),
- Enzymatically modified starch (Food Science).
- Botanicals (Natural and Renewable Resources and Food Science)
- Bioactive proteins from milk and soy (Food Science)
- Sugar-based extracts and fractions (Dairy Science, Audubon)
Recent and Notable Publications:
2007 Morrison CD, Xi X, White CL, Ye J, Martin RJ. Amino acids inhibit Agrp gene expression via an mTOR-dependent mechanism.Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. Jul;293(1):E165-71.
2006 Li B, Lee K, Martin RJ. Overexpression of glucose transporter 2 in GT1-7 cells inhibits AMP-activated protein kinase and agouti-related peptide expression. Brain Research Brain Res 1118:1-5.
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