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The Institute of Medical Sciences

Professor Frank Thies

Professor Frank Thies
Professor Frank Thies
Professor Frank Thies

PhD

Personal Chair

About
Email Address
f.thies@abdn.ac.uk
Telephone Number
+44 (0)1224 437954
Office Address

School of Medicine, medical Sciences and Nutrition, Rowett Institute,  Foresterhill Aberdeen AB25 2ZD

School/Department
School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition
ORCiD

Biography

Frank Thies graduated in animal Physiology from the University of Burgundy (France) in 1987 before undertaking a PhD in Nutritional Physiology, also at the University of Burgundy and awarded in 1991. Dr Thies then completed a 3 year Postdoctoral Fellowship at the National Institute of Health (Bethesda, USA) before joining Prof Philip Calder's group within the Department of Biochemistry at Oxford University. In 1998, he moved to the University of Southampton before taking a lecturer position in Human Nutrition  at the University of Aberdeen in 2001. Dr Thies was then promoted to Senior lecturer in 2005, and Reader in  2013.  

Memberships and Affiliations

Internal Memberships

Deputy Director,  (Rowett Institute)

Teaching lead (Rowett Institute)

Member, Rowett Institute executive committee

Member of University of Aberdeen Senate (2015-2018)

External Memberships

External Examiner, Glasgow Caledonian University (2007-2012)

External Examiner, Queen Margaret University (2008-2013)

External Examiner, Northumbria University (2013-2017)

External Examiner, Ulster University (2017-2021)

Secretary, Scottish Section of the Nutrition Society (2011-2014)

Member, Council, The Nutrition Society (2011-present)

Member, Scientific Commitee, The Nutrition Society (2011-2014)

Honorary Science Officer and Trustee, the Nutrition Society (2015-2021)

Trustee, the Academy of Nutrition Sciences (2019-present)

Teasurer, Federation of European Nutrition Societies (2019-present)

Research

Research Overview

  

My research interests mainly relate to the influence of various dietary components on cardiovascular function and cardiovascular risk, with particular emphasis being placed on the role of inflammatory processes. My research activities include relatively large as well as pilot intervention studies in healthy individuals and patients, supported by in vitro work for the mechanistic aspects. Other current projects relates to identifying methods for  beneficially changing eating behaviour in low income populations via social prescribing, in order to reduce health inequalities.

Supervision

  1. “Compilation, validation and implementation of an anti-inflammatory diet” by Adrian Wood. Awarded November 2007.
  2. “atherosclerosis, fibrosis and nutrition: effect of n-3PUFA on smooth muscle activity and relevance to atherosclerosis” by Claire White. Awarded January 2009
  3. “Effects of fish oil on epoxyeicosatrieonic acid metabolism: relevance to inflammation and vascular function” by Yiannis Mavromatis. Awarded January 2009
  4. “Effect of lycopene on immune cell function and activity” by Lynsey Mills, Awarded June 2010
  5. “Effect of Regular Mealtime Inclusion of Oat Containing Products on Glycaemic Response and Postprandial Inflammation in Early Type 2 Diabetes” by Susan Christina McGeoch, Awarded October 2011
  6. “Improving Insulin Sensitivity and Preventing Diabetes by Altering Muscle Membrane Fatty Acid Composition” by Louise Frances Clark, Awarded October 2014
  7. “Effects of Oat Products on Human Colonic Health” by Andrew John Chappell (Co-lead) October 2015
  8. “The Effects of Nitrite on Muscle Metabolic Efficiency and its Relevance to Cardiac Disease” by Maria Ntessalen (Co-supervisor), November 2015
  9. Modulation of Dimethylarginine Dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) as a Therapeutic Target in Neurodegenerative Disorders” by Sara Tommasi (Co-supervisor), awarded July 2016.
  10. ”Influence of short chain fatty acids on blood pressure regulation”, by Karolin Musz, awarded April 2017.
  11. “Investigating the effects of dietary-derived and sunlight-derived vitamin D3 on markers of immune function” by Wakuny Ambo Maboshe, awarded May 2018.
  12. Marine-derived n-3 fatty acids: a potential therapeutic target for stroke? by Celia Alvarez-Campano, awarded 25 May 2020
  13. Study and impact of zinc in haemostasis by Sumya Um-May, awarded 28th September 2020

Funding and Grants

  

Grant income since 2005: >£4millions

2004-2007- PhD scholarship, Food Standard Agency (G Duthie, F Thies)

2005-2007- Effect of n-3 PUFA on platelet activation, markers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in patients with peripheral arterial disease, British Heart foundation, (J Brittenden, F. Thies, I. Ford, M. Greaves)

2005-2008- Effect of whole grain food on CVD risk markers, Food Standard Agency,  (F Thies, G. Duthie, J. Brittenden)

2006- Diet, aspirin and platelets aggregation in patients with peripheral arterial disease NHS Grampian Endowments (J Brittenden, F Thies)

2007-2010- Tomato, lycopene, and CVD risk, Food Standard Agency, (F Thies, G. Duthie, L Masson)

2008-2009- Development of a method to measure methylated  derivatives of arginine in plasma , Development Trust, (F. Thies, J. Brittenden, G. Cameron)

2007-2009- Imaging atherosclerotic plaque inflammation with flurodeoxyglucose positron emisson tomography and CT angiography TMRI Ltd (J Brittenden, K Cassar, F Thies)

2008-2011- Effect of 1 year vitamin D intervention on risk of cardiovascular disease: a randomized controlled trial at 57ºN, Food Standard Agency (H MacDonald, F Thies, A Mavroiedi, D Reid)

2008-2009- In Vivo 18-FDG PET Imaging and Atherosclerotic Plaque Inflammatory Biomarkers in Mouse Model of Atherosclerosis- A Randomized Controlled Trial TMRI Ltd (J Brittenden, S Shaikh, G Small, H Wilson , A Welch, F Thies, P Brown)

2009-2012- A comprehensive longitudinal study of diet and chronic low-grade systemic inflammation in a well-characterized population of postmenopausal women Food Standard Agency (H MacDonald, F Thies,  D Reid, G Duthie)

2010- Fish oil supplementation and immune function and inflammatory responses to exerciseTenovus Scotland (S Gray, F Thies)

2011-2012-Development of novel DDAH inhibitors for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases SULSA Pooling network  (A Mangoni, I Creig, F Thies , P Teismann, M Zanda)   

2011-2012-Dimethylarginine dimethylamino hydrolase (DDAH) modulation as a potential therapeutic target in Alzheimer’s disease:a pilot study. Alzeihmer’s research trust  (A Mangoni, F Thies, R Soiza)

2011-2012- Can ADMA predict cognitive decline? NHS Grampian endowments (A Mangoni, R Soiza, F Thies)

2011-2015- Strategic partnership on food and drink science, Scottish Government (K Scott, F Thies, M Frenneaux)

2016-2018- Muscle fat compartments and turnover as a determinant of insulin sensitivity. British heart Foundation (D Dawson, M Delibegovic, F Thies)

2017-2018- DHA supplementation as a treatment for ischaemic stroke (DASTIS). NHS Grampian Endowment (MJ MacLeod, M. J. & F Thies)

2018-2022-Modelling individual responses to healthier diets and new ways to quantify the importance of physiology and behaviour for successful dietary changes. BBSRC database 39358/Unilever studentship, BBSRC (B de Roos & F Thies)

2018-2022- Modelling individual responses to healthier diets and new ways to quantify the importance of physiology and behaviour for successful dietary changes. BBSRC database 39364/Unilever studentship, Unilever R&D/Vlaardingen  (B de Roos & F Thies)

2018-2022- Using wearable technology to optimise timing of concomitant metformin and exercise prescription. NHS Grampian Endowments (B Gabriel, F Thies, S Philips)

2021-2022- Newton fund: exploitation of mesquite tree as a sustainable source of food with high nutritional and economicl value in the mezquital valley, Hidalgo. British Council, Newton Fund (F Thies, W Russel, N Hoggard, V Raikos)               

Teaching

Teaching Responsibilities

Teaching of nutritional physiology and biochemistry at undergraduate (exercise physiology (year 3) and year1 MBChB (year 1) and postgraduate level (MSc Human nutrition and MSc cardiovascular and diabetes).

MSc Human Nutrition & Metabolism programme coordinator 2001-2007

MSc Molecular Nutrition course coordinator  2010-2014

MSC Metabolic nutrition course coordinator 2014

MSc Human Nutrition Research project course coordinator 2015-2017

MSc Assessment of nutritional status course coordinator 2018-present

Teaching Lead, Rowett Institute (2022-)

 

Publications

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  • Fish Oil Supplementation Reduces Markers of Oxidative Stress But Not Muscle Soreness After Eccentric Exercise

    Gray, P., Chappell, A. J., Jenkinson, A. M., Thies, F., Gray, S. R.
    International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 206-214
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • A parallel group double-blind RCT of vitamin D3 assessing physical function: is the biochemical response to treatment affected by overweight and obesity?

    Wood, A. D., Secombes, K. R., Thies, F., Aucott, L. S., Black, A. J., Reid, D. M., Mavroeidi, A., Simpson, W. G., Fraser, W. D., Macdonald, H. M.
    Osteoporosis International, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 305-315
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Hip bone loss is attenuated with 1000 IU but not 400 IU daily vitamin D3: a 1-year double-blind RCT in postmenopausal women

    Macdonald, H. M., Wood, A. D., Aucott, L. S., Black, A. J., Fraser, W. D., Mavroeidi, A., Reid, D. M., Secombes, K. R., Simpson, W. G., Thies, F.
    Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, vol. 28, no. 10, pp. 2202-2213
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Effects of wheat and oat-based whole grain foods on serum lipoprotein size and distribution in overweight middle aged people: a randomised controlled trial

    Tighe, P., Duthie, G., Brittenden, J., Vaughan, N., Mutch, W., Simpson, W. G., Duthie, S., Horgan, G. W., Thies, F.
    PloS ONE, vol. 8, no. 8, e70436
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Lycopene intervention reduces inflammation and improves HDL functionality in moderately overweight middle-aged individuals

    McEneny, J., Wade, L., Young, I. S., Masson, L., Duthie, G., McGinty, A., McMaster, C., Thies, F.
    The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 163-168
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Macrophage subtypes in symptomatic carotid artery and femoral artery plaques

    Shaik, S., Brittenden, J., Lahiri, R., Brown, P. A. J., Thies, F., Wilson, H. M.
    European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, vol. 44, no. 5, pp. 491-497
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Fish oil supplementation augments post-exercise immune function in young males

    Gray, P., Gabriel, B., Thies, F., Gray, S. R.
    Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, vol. 26, no. 8, pp. 1265-1272
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • N-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids inhibit smooth muscle cell migration by modulating urokinase plasminogen activator receptor through MEK/ERK-dependent and -independent mechanisms

    Whyte, C., Thies, F., Peyrol, L., Balcerzak, D.
    The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, vol. 23, no. 11, pp. 1378-1383
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Vitamin D3 supplementation has no effect on conventional cardiovascular risk factors: a parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT

    Wood, A. D., Secombes, K. R., Thies, F., Aucott, L., Black, A. J., Mavroeidi, A., Simpson, W. G., Fraser, W. D., Reid, D. M., Macdonald, H. M.
    Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, vol. 97, no. 10, pp. 3557-3568
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Lycopene inhibits lymphocyte proliferation through mechanisms dependent on early cell activation

    Mills, L. M., Wilson, H. M., Thies, F.
    Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, vol. 56, no. 7, pp. 1034-1042
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Effect of a tomato-rich diet on markers of cardiovascular disease risk in moderately overweight, disease-free, middle-aged adults: A randomized controlled trial

    Thies, F., Masson, L. F., Rudd, A., Vaughan, N., Tsang, C., Brittenden, J., Simpson, W. G., Duthie, S. J., Horgan, G., Duthie, G. G.
    The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol. 95, no. 5, pp. 1013-1022
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Effect of Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on markers of platelet and endothelial function in patients with peripheral arterial disease

    Mackay, I., Ford, I., Thies, F., Fielding, S., Bachoo, P., Brittenden, J.
    Atherosclerosis, vol. 221, no. 2, pp. 514-520
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Dietary patterns are associated with biomarkers of chronic low grade systemic inflammation in Scottish postmenopausal women: a prospective analysis

    Wood, A. D., Simpson, W., Gryka, A. A., Hardcastle, A. C., Mavroeidi, A., Rothnie, I., Vaughan, N. J., Aucott, L. S., Duthie, G. G., Thies, F., Macdonald, H.
    Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, vol. 71, pp. E251
    Contributions to Journals: Abstracts

  • Whole grains, legumes, and health

    Venn, B., Thies, F., O'Neill, C.
    Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 2012, 903767
    Contributions to Journals: Editorials

  • A systematic review of salicylates in foods: estimated daily intake of a Scottish population

    Wood, A., Baxter, G., Thies, F., Kyle, J., Duthie, G. G.
    Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, vol. 55, no. Suppl. 1, pp. S7-S14
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Seasonal effects of blood pressure in postmenopausal women

    Wood, A. D., Thies, F., Fraser, W. D., Aucott, L. S., Secombes, K. R., Simpson, W. G., Reid, D. M., MacDonald, H.
    Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Conference Proceedings

  • Effect of increased consumption of whole-grain foods on blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk markers in healthy middle-aged persons: a randomized controlled trial

    Tighe, P., Duthie, G. G., Vaughan, N., Brittenden, J., Simpson, W. G., Duthie, S. J., Mutch, W. J., Wahle, K., Horgan, G., Thies, F.
    The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol. 92, no. 4, pp. 733-740
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Intervention with fish oil, but not with docosahexaenoic acid, results in lower levels of hepatic soluble epoxide hydrolase with time in apoE knockout mice

    Mavrommatis, Y., Ross, K., Rucklidge, G., Reid, M., Duncan, G. J., Gordon, M. J., Thies, F., Sneddon, A. A., De Roos, B.
    British Journal of Nutrition, vol. 103, no. 1, pp. 16-24
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • UK Food Standards Agency Workshop Report: carbohydrate and cardiovascular risk

    Peacock, E., Stanley, J., Calder, P. C., Jebb, S., Thies, F., Seal, C., Woodside, J. V., Sanders, T. A. B.
    British Journal of Nutrition, vol. 103 , no. 11, pp. 1688-1694
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Effect of increased consumption of whole grain foods on blood pressure in healthy middle-aged people: a randomized-controlled trial

    Tighe, P., Duthie, G. G., Brittenden, J., Vaughan, N. J., Horgan, G., Simpson, W. G., Mutch, W. J., Duthie, S., Thies, F.
    Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism, vol. 55, no. Supplement 1, pp. 147
    Contributions to Journals: Abstracts

  • Effect of increased consumption of wholegrain foods on blood pressure in healthy middle-aged people: a randomised controlled trial

    Tighe, P., Vaughan, N., Duthie, G. G., Brittenden, J., Simpson, W., Duthie, S., Mutch, W., Horgan, G., Wahle, K., Thies, F.
    Atherosclerosis Supplements, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. e1485
    Contributions to Journals: Abstracts

  • The effects of fish oil and DHA on soluble epoxide hydrolase in apoE-/- mice

    Mavrommatis, Y. I., Thies, F., Ross, K., Gordon, M. J., McLeod, E., Sneddon, A. A., Rucklidge, G. J., Reid, M. D., Duncan, G. J., Mayer, C., Horgan, G., Arthur, J., De Roos, B.
    Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, vol. 66, no. Supplement OCA-B , 103A
    Contributions to Journals: Abstracts

  • Effect of increased consumption of whole grain foods on markers of cardiovascular disease risk in middle-aged healthy volunteers

    Tighe, P., Vaughan, N. J., Brittenden, J., Simpson, W. G., Mutch, W. J., Horgan, G., Duthie, G. G., Thies, F.
    Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, vol. 27, no. 6, pp. e56
    Contributions to Journals: Abstracts

  • Identification of Platelet Proteins Involved in Platelet Structure and Inflammation That Are Regulated by Fish Oil Supplementation in Healthy Volunteers

    De Roos, B., Massie, E., Ross, K., Rucklidge, G. J., Thies, F., O'Kennedy, N.
    Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, vol. 27, no. 6, pp. e54-e54
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Effect of long chain n-3 PUFA on endothelial activation, endothelial function and atheromatous plaque stability

    De Roos, B., Mercer, D. K., Wainwright, C., Thies, F.
    Current Nutrition and Food Science, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 167-177
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
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