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A basic scientist’s odyssey in nutrition

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 72, pages 923–928 (2018)Cite this article

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Many whose research career has been in nutrition have found themselves in the area both by accident and without formal training—and this is very much so in my case. I am a basic scientist motivated principally by the desire to understand physiological systems. My first degree was in Physiology and Biochemistry, followed by a doctorate in Biochemistry. Although my doctoral studies were on the metabolism of the lens under the supportive supervision of Ruth van Heyningen, the Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology in Oxford where I studied had as its head Antoinette Pirie, one of whose interests was the impact of vitamin A deficiency on xerophthalmia. To that extent I had some early, albeit tangential, exposure to nutrition.

My doctoral studies serendipitously brought me into contact with the legendary Nobelist, Sir Hans Krebs. After his retirement from the Whitley Chair of Biochemistry at Oxford, he established a Metabolic Research Unit in the Radcliffe Infirmary close to where my lab was based. Each time I returned from the local slaughterhouse with cattle eyes for my work, Sir Hans would personally come to collect the vitreous humour as a culture medium, which I would transfer to him in a considerable state of awe.

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Acknowledgements

I thank the many colleagues, students and collaborators with whom I have worked and apologise that for reasons of space most are unnamed. I would also like to warmly acknowledge the unfailing support of my wife Deborah, not least for her willingness to embrace our multiple family moves as great adventures (‘invitations are so compelling!’).

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  1. Obesity Biology Unit, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK

    P. Trayhurn

  2. Clore Laboratory, University of Buckingham, Buckingham, UK

    P. Trayhurn

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Correspondence to P. Trayhurn.

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Trayhurn, P. A basic scientist’s odyssey in nutrition. Eur J Clin Nutr 72, 923–928 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-018-0089-y

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