![Professor Frank Thies Professor Frank Thies](/img/200x200/staffpages/uploads/mmd519/frank_-_left.jpg)
PhD
Personal Chair
- About
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- 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
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
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Deputy Director, (Rowett Institute)
Teaching lead (Rowett Institute)
Member, Rowett Institute executive committee
Member of University of Aberdeen Senate (2015-2018)
- External Memberships
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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
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Research Overview
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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
- “Compilation, validation and implementation of an anti-inflammatory diet” by Adrian Wood. Awarded November 2007.
- “atherosclerosis, fibrosis and nutrition: effect of n-3PUFA on smooth muscle activity and relevance to atherosclerosis” by Claire White. Awarded January 2009
- “Effects of fish oil on epoxyeicosatrieonic acid metabolism: relevance to inflammation and vascular function” by Yiannis Mavromatis. Awarded January 2009
- “Effect of lycopene on immune cell function and activity” by Lynsey Mills, Awarded June 2010
- “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
- “Improving Insulin Sensitivity and Preventing Diabetes by Altering Muscle Membrane Fatty Acid Composition” by Louise Frances Clark, Awarded October 2014
- “Effects of Oat Products on Human Colonic Health” by Andrew John Chappell (Co-lead) October 2015
- “The Effects of Nitrite on Muscle Metabolic Efficiency and its Relevance to Cardiac Disease” by Maria Ntessalen (Co-supervisor), November 2015
- Modulation of Dimethylarginine Dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) as a Therapeutic Target in Neurodegenerative Disorders” by Sara Tommasi (Co-supervisor), awarded July 2016.
- ”Influence of short chain fatty acids on blood pressure regulation”, by Karolin Musz, awarded April 2017.
- “Investigating the effects of dietary-derived and sunlight-derived vitamin D3 on markers of immune function” by Wakuny Ambo Maboshe, awarded May 2018.
- Marine-derived n-3 fatty acids: a potential therapeutic target for stroke? by Celia Alvarez-Campano, awarded 25 May 2020
- 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
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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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Page 7 of 7 Results 151 to 165 of 165
Effect of long chain n-3 PUFA on endothelial activation, endothelial function and atheromatous plaque stability
Current Nutrition and Food Science, vol. 1, pp. 167-177Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.2174/1573401054022655
DHA-enriched HDL modulates T-lymphocyte proliferation through mechanisms independent of cell activation and apoptosis
Contributions to Conferences: AbstractsEffect of oxidized high density lipoprotein on lymphocyte function
Contributions to Conferences: AbstractsIn vitro inhibition of colon cancer cell WiDR is not mediated through p53 and bcl2.
European Journal of Surgical Oncology, vol. 30, pp. 1028-1028Contributions to Journals: ArticlesAssociation of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids with stability of atherosclerotic plaques: a randomised controlled trial
The Lancet, vol. 361, no. 9356, pp. 477-485Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(03)12468-3
In vitro inhibitory effects of lycopene on human cancer cells is associated with apoptosis.
British Journal of Cancer, vol. 88, pp. S26-S26Contributions to Journals: ArticlesInhibition of colon cancer cell growth by the antioxidant lycopene.
European Journal of Surgical Oncology, vol. 29, pp. 788-788Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejso.2003.08.014
The effect of eicosapentaenoic acid on rat lymphocyte proliferation depends upon its position in dietary triacylglycerols
The Journal of Nutrition, vol. 133, pp. 4230-4238Contributions to Journals: ArticlesThe effect of feeding structured triacylglycerols enriched in EPA or DHA on murine splenocyte fatty acid composition and leucocyte phagocytosis
British Journal of Nutrition, vol. 90, pp. 1071-1080Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1079/BJN2003996
Fatty acids and lymphocyte functions
British Journal of Nutrition, vol. 87, pp. S31-S48Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1079/BJN2001482
Influence of dietary supplementation with long-chain n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids on blood inflammatory cell populations and functions and on plasma soluble adhesion molecules in healthy adults
Lipids, vol. 36, no. 11, pp. 1183-1193Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-001-0831-4
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Dietary supplementation with y-linolenic acid or fish oil decreases T lymphocyte proliferation in healthy older humans
The Journal of Nutrition, vol. 131, no. 7, pp. 1918-1927Contributions to Journals: ArticlesDietary supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid, but not with other long chain n-3 or n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, decreases natural killer cell activity in healthy subjects aged >55 y
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol. 73, pp. 539-548Contributions to Journals: ArticlesFish oil supplementation of the diet partly reverses the age-related increase in plasma soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) concentrations
Clinical Science, vol. 100, pp. 91-100Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20000198
Lysophosphatidylcholine as a preferred carrier form for DHA to the brain
Journal of Molecular Neuroscience, vol. 16, no. 2-3, pp. 201-204Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/JMN:16:2-3:201