Elizabeth DuPriest, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biology
Current Courses in Progress:
BIO 221 Human Anatomy & Physiology I - taught every Fall
BIO 250 Genetics
BIO 420 Mammalian Physiology - next offering in Fall 2013
PHS 412 Biochemistry - next offering in Spring 2014
Research Interests:
Dr. DuPriest studies how an individual's early growth - both before birth and during childhood - affects the way their adipose (fat) tissue works. Adipose tissue produces a wide range of hormones which can either benefit or harm your cardiovascular and metabolic health. When adipose tissue is dysfunctional, it can increase your risk for heart disease and diabetes. Studying the influence of early environment on adipose function may open doors for new therapeutic interventions for these individuals.
Dr. DuPriest has specifically shown in recent publications that a low protein maternal diet causes low birth weight in offspring, and "programs" those offspring to have smaller adipocytes (fat cells) in their intra-abdominal fat. In addition, these same offspring have low mRNA levels of adiponectin, a protective hormone, in both intra-abdominal and subcutaneous adipose tissue depots. She is currently studying the effects of post-weaning feed restriction on adipocyte structure and function, and has a grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust to study the role of growth hormone in driving the proliferation and/or differentiation of adipocytes.
Recent Publications:
DuPriest EA, Kupfer P, Lin B, Sekiguchi K, Morgan TK, Saunders KE, Chatkupt TT, Purnell JQ, Bagby SP. Altered adipocyte structure and function in nutritionally programmed microswine offspring. J DOHaD June 2012; 3(3): 198-209.
DuPriest EA, Kupfer P, Lin B, Sekiguchi K, Saunders KE, Chatkupt TT, Purnell JQ, Bagby SP. Accelerated growth without prepubertal obesity in nutritionally programmed microswine offspring. J DOHaD April 2012; 3(2): 92-102.