Human and Animal Physiology
The Human and Animal Physiology group, led by Jaap Keijer, focuses on energy metabolism in health and disease of humans and animals. By integrating molecular and biochemical physiology, the researchers study how metabolism can be targeted to improve preventive health.
Our research
Our research focus is one of the pillars of physiology: metabolism. We study energy metabolism, intermediary metabolism, redox metabolism, and mitochondria. We perform experimental research in humans, animal models (including invertebrates), organs/tissues, and cells. We integrate state-of-the-art physiological, functional, biomolecular, and related bioanalysis tools to obtain results.
Education
Education by Human and Animal Physiology
Human and Animal Physiology is committed to teaching challenging and inspiring science to BSc, MSc and PhD students. We provide solid training in physiology, molecular and biochemical physiology, and experimental research techniques. The regular courses of Human and Animal Physiology are linked to a variety of BSc and MSc programs, including Nutrition and Health, Animal Sciences, Biology, Biotechnology, Molecular Life Sciences, Food Chemistry and Plant Sciences.
Publications & Projects
Within the Human and Animal Physiology group, we focus on metabolism and how it affects health. Our research focusses on humans, animals and cells. We publish the results of our work in reputed peer reviewed international scientific journals.
Highlighted projects
- The role of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in the stimulation of skeletal muscle protein synthesis and glucose uptake in healthy, young volunteers
- Targeting mitochondrial oxidative stress to prevent diabetes-induced atrial fibrillation.
- Evaluation of food bioactives on intestinal starch digestion: an in vivo study.
Chair Holder
Jaap Keijer is Chair of Human and Animal Physiology and pioneer in nutrigenomics. He has a strong interest in metabolic pathways and how they change with age, in chronic metabolic diseases, and in response to food components. He wants to understand how mitochondria, the batteries of the cell, work. ‘Once a person turns fifty, their energy use and fitness decreases. This might be related to the amount of non-functioning mitochondria. We want to know how this works, to help make people fitter.’
prof.dr.ir. J (Jaap) Keijer
Professor / Chairholder
People of Human and Animal Physiology
Each chair group of Wageningen University & Research, under leadership of a professor, has its own area of expertise. Meet the people of this Chair Group.
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