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 3 of 4 Results 101 to 150 of 165
Safety of Yarrowia lipolytica yeast biomass as a novel food pursuant to regulation (EU) 2015/2283
EFSA Journal, vol. 17, no. 2, e05594Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2019.5594
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/15004/1/j.efsa_safety_of_yarrowia_VOR.pdf
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Magnesium citrate malate as a source of magnesium added for nutritional purposes to food supplements
EFSA Journal, vol. 16, no. 12, e05484Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5484
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/15006/1/j.efsa_Magnesium_Citrate_VOR.pdf
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Statement on the safety of d-ribose
EFSA Journal, vol. 16, no. 12, e05485Contributions to Journals: ArticlesGuidance on the scientific requirements for health claims related to muscle function and physical performance: (Revision 1)
EFSA Journal, vol. 16, no. 10, e05434Contributions to Journals: ArticlesAbstract WP255: Omega-3 Fatty Acids as a Treatment for Experimental Ischaemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Stroke, vol. 49, AWP255Contributions to Journals: Abstracts- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1161/str.49.suppl_1.WP255
Marine-derived n-3 fatty acids therapy for stroke
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, vol. 2017, no. 10, pp. 1-12Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012815
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/11235/1/Campano_et_al_2017_.pdf
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Phospholipid class-specific brain enrichment in response to lysophosphatidylcholine docosahexaenoic acid infusion
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta. Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids, vol. 1862, no. 10, Part A, pp. 1092-1098Contributions to Journals: ArticlesWhole Grains and Disease Risk
Vegetarian and Plant-Based Diets in Health and Disease Prevention. Mariotti, F. (ed.). Elsevier Inc., pp. 249-269, 21 pagesChapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Chapters- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-803968-7.00014-9
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Cardiovascular benefits of lycopene: fantasy or reality?
Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, vol. 76, no. 2, pp. 122-129Contributions to Journals: ArticlesSex differences in the effect of fish-oil supplementation on the adaptive response to resistance exercise training in older people: a randomized controlled trial
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol. 105, no. 1, pp. 151-158Contributions to Journals: ArticlesSex differences in the response to resistance exercise training in older people
Physiological reports, vol. 4, no. 12, e12834Contributions to Journals: ArticlesFish oil supplemented for 9 months does not improve glycaemic control or insulin sensitivity in subjects with impaired glucose regulation: a parallel randomised controlled trial
British Journal of Nutrition, vol. 115, no. 1, pp. 75-86Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114515004274
Plasma non-esterified docosahexaenoic acid is the major pool supplying the brain: Plasma NEFA pool supplies the brain with DHA
Scientific Reports, vol. 5, 15791Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/srep15791
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/5458/1/srep15791.pdf
Lycopene intervention augments the antiatherogenic potential of HDL
83rd Congress of the European-Atherosclerosis-Society (EAS), pp. E106-E106Contributions to Journals: Abstracts- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2015.04.371
Increased levels of Symmetric dimethyl-arginine are associated with all-cause mortality in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease
Journal of Vascular Surgery, vol. 61, no. 5, pp. 1292-1298Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvs.2015.01.002
The effect of in vitro fermentation of oats (Avena sativa) and barley (Hordeum vulgare) on the faecal gut microbiota
Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, vol. 74, no. OCE1, pp. E32-E32Contributions to Journals: Abstracts- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0029665115000476
Improvement in Cardiac Energetics by Perhexiline in Heart Failure Due to Dilated Cardiomyopathy
JACC. Heart failure, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 202-211Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jchf.2014.09.009
Increased levels of Symmetric dimethyl-arginine are associated with all-cause mortality in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease
British Journal of Surgery, vol. 102, pp. 4-4Contributions to Journals: Abstracts- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/bjs.9768
Increased oats' consumption does not reduce cardiovascular disease risk markers in middle-aged healthy volunteers
Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, vol. 74, no. OCE1, pp. E74-E74Contributions to Journals: Abstracts- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0029665115000890
Fermentation of oats (Avena sativa) by the faecal microbiota using an in vitro colonic fermentor system
Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, vol. 74, no. OCE5, pp. E302-E302Contributions to Journals: Abstracts- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0029665115003493
Epidemiological studies of oats consumption and risk of cancer and overall mortality
British Journal of Nutrition, vol. 112, no. Suppl 2, pp. S14-S18Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114514002268
Oats and CVD risk markers: a systematic literature review
British Journal of Nutrition, vol. 112, no. Suppl 2, pp. 19-30Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114514002281
Oats and bowel disease: a systematic literature review
British Journal of Nutrition, vol. 112, no. S2, pp. S31-43Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114514002293
Patterns of dietary intake and serum carotenoid and tocopherol status are associated with biomarkers of chronic low-grade systemic inflammation and cardiovascular risk
British Journal of Nutrition, vol. 112, no. 8, pp. 1341-1352Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114514001962
Fish Oil Supplementation Reduces Markers of Oxidative Stress But Not Muscle Soreness After Eccentric Exercise
International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 206-214Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] http://journals.humankinetics.com/ijsnem-in-press/ijsnem-in-press/fish-oil-supplementation-reduces-markers-of-oxidative-stress-but-not-muscle-soreness-after-eccentric-exercise
- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2013-0081
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/3287/1/IJSNEMPaperDraft_Revision3_.pdf
A parallel group double-blind RCT of vitamin D3 assessing physical function: is the biochemical response to treatment affected by overweight and obesity?
Osteoporosis International, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 305-315Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-013-2473-8
Hip bone loss is attenuated with 1000 IU but not 400 IU daily vitamin D3: a 1-year double-blind RCT in postmenopausal women
Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, vol. 28, no. 10, pp. 2202-2213Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jbmr.1959
Effects of wheat and oat-based whole grain foods on serum lipoprotein size and distribution in overweight middle aged people: a randomised controlled trial
PloS ONE, vol. 8, no. 8, e70436Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0070436
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/3541/1/Effects_of_wheat.pdf
Lycopene intervention reduces inflammation and improves HDL functionality in moderately overweight middle-aged individuals
The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 163-168Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnutbio.2012.03.015
Macrophage subtypes in symptomatic carotid artery and femoral artery plaques
European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, vol. 44, no. 5, pp. 491-497Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejvs.2012.08.005
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/2798/1/EJVESfinal.docx
Fish oil supplementation augments post-exercise immune function in young males
Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, vol. 26, no. 8, pp. 1265-1272Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2012.08.002
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/3021/1/GrayetalBBI.docx
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
The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, vol. 23, no. 11, pp. 1378-1383Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnutbio.2011.08.005
Vitamin D3 supplementation has no effect on conventional cardiovascular risk factors: a parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, vol. 97, no. 10, pp. 3557-3568Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2012-2126
Lycopene inhibits lymphocyte proliferation through mechanisms dependent on early cell activation
Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, vol. 56, no. 7, pp. 1034-1042Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.201200047
Effect of a tomato-rich diet on markers of cardiovascular disease risk in moderately overweight, disease-free, middle-aged adults: A randomized controlled trial
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol. 95, no. 5, pp. 1013-1022Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.111.026286
Effect of Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on markers of platelet and endothelial function in patients with peripheral arterial disease
Atherosclerosis, vol. 221, no. 2, pp. 514-520Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2011.12.041
Dietary patterns are associated with biomarkers of chronic low grade systemic inflammation in Scottish postmenopausal women: a prospective analysis
Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, vol. 71, pp. E251Contributions to Journals: Abstracts- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0029665112003424
Whole grains, legumes, and health
Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 2012, 903767Contributions to Journals: Editorials- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/903767
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/5499/1/903767.pdf
A systematic review of salicylates in foods: estimated daily intake of a Scottish population
Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, vol. 55, no. Suppl. 1, pp. S7-S14Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.201000408
Seasonal effects of blood pressure in postmenopausal women
Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Conference Proceedings- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-7176.2011.00459.x
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
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol. 92, no. 4, pp. 733-740Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.2010.29417
Intervention with fish oil, but not with docosahexaenoic acid, results in lower levels of hepatic soluble epoxide hydrolase with time in apoE knockout mice
British Journal of Nutrition, vol. 103, no. 1, pp. 16-24Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114509991450
UK Food Standards Agency Workshop Report: carbohydrate and cardiovascular risk
British Journal of Nutrition, vol. 103 , no. 11, pp. 1688-1694Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114510000735
Effect of increased consumption of whole grain foods on blood pressure in healthy middle-aged people: a randomized-controlled trial
Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism, vol. 55, no. Supplement 1, pp. 147Contributions to Journals: Abstracts- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000248281
Effect of increased consumption of wholegrain foods on blood pressure in healthy middle-aged people: a randomised controlled trial
Atherosclerosis Supplements, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. e1485Contributions to Journals: Abstracts- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1567-5688(09)71443-6
The effects of fish oil and DHA on soluble epoxide hydrolase in apoE-/- mice
Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, vol. 66, no. Supplement OCA-B , 103AContributions to Journals: Abstracts- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0029665107005952
Effect of increased consumption of whole grain foods on markers of cardiovascular disease risk in middle-aged healthy volunteers
Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, vol. 27, no. 6, pp. e56Contributions to Journals: AbstractsIdentification of Platelet Proteins Involved in Platelet Structure and Inflammation That Are Regulated by Fish Oil Supplementation in Healthy Volunteers
Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, vol. 27, no. 6, pp. e54-e54Contributions to Journals: ArticlesEffect of long chain n-3 PUFA on endothelial activation, endothelial function and atheromatous plaque stability
Current Nutrition and Food Science, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 167-177Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.2174/1573401054022655
Cyclin D1 and p27 (Kip1) dependent G1 cell cycle arrest but no significant apoptosis are associated with lycopene inducced inhibition of growth of WiDR human colon cancer cells.
Diseases of the Colon & Rectum, vol. 48, pp. 604-604Contributions to Journals: Articles