Dr. Raylene Reimer De Bruyn
Positions
Professor
Faculty of Kinesiology
Professor, Joint Appointment
Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Child Health & Wellness Researcher
Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute
Associate Member
McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health
Contact information
Background
Credentials
Registered Dietitian, College of Dietitians of Alberta, 2001
Educational Background
Doctor of Philosophy Nutrition and Metabolism, University of Alberta, 1997
Postdoctoral Fellow Molecular Nutrition, Nestle Research Centre, Lausanne Switzerland, 1999
Bachelor of Science Foods and Nutrition with Distinction, University of Alberta, 1993
Biography
Dr. Reimer De Bruyn is a professor in the faculties of Kinesiology and Medicine. She is also a full scientist in the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute and Associate Member of the McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health. She has professional affiliations with the College of Dietitians of Alberta; The Obesity Society; Canadian Nutrition Society; American Society for Nutritional Sciences; and Obesity Canada.
Research
Areas of Research
Seek to understand the potential of nutrition to prevent and treat chronic disease.
Study the influence of diet on our microbiome and find dietary interventions that can improve gut microbiota composition and function in chronic disease.
The Reimer Research Group focuses on understanding the full potential of nutrition to prevent and treat chronic disease. Their research spans basic science to determine the mechanisms through which diet affects the progression and maintenance of obesity through to applied human clinical studies evaluating the effectiveness of novel dietary interventions.
A central focus of the Reimer group is to understand the influence of diet on our microbiome and how we can use dietary interventions to improve gut microbiota composition and function in chronic disease. The Reimer lab has pioneered research in the use of prebiotics to prevent and treat metabolic diseases such as obesity, fatty liver disease and diabetes. In rodents, the lab is examining the following:
- Influence of maternal diet during pregnancy and lactation on shaping the microbiota of mother and offspring and the resultant obesity risk of the offspring. Maternal factors currently under investigation include prenatal and early postnatal antibiotic exposure, maternal artificial sweetener consumption, maternal prebiotic fiber intake, and early postnatal milk oligosaccharide intake.
- Effect of dietary manipulation of the gut microbiota with prebiotics and probiotics (alone and combined) on metabolic health in obesity, fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes.
- Examining the brain – gut microbiota axis in early postnatal life with implications for depression and anxiety.
- Influence of paternal (father’s) diet on offspring metabolism later in life.
- Identifying optimal dietary patterns (rich in a variety of dietary fibers) to promote gut microbiota health.
In human clinical studies, the group is currently focused on determining whether prebiotics can improve gut microbiota and disease management in children and young adults with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes as well as examining whether prebiotics can reduce pain and improve physical function in adults with knee osteoarthritis and obesity.
The long-term goal of the work is to identify novel nutritional therapies to prevent and treat chronic disease.
Participate in Research Studies
For a list of ongoing research studies and details around participation please consult the University of Calgary research participation website and enter Raylene De Bruyn into the search tab.
Participation in university strategic initiatives
Courses
| Course number | Course title | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| KNES 237 | Introduction to Nutrition | Fall 2023 |
| KNES 437 | Advanced Nutrition | Winter 2024 |
| KNES 605 | Nutrition for Performance and Active Living | Winter 2024 |
| KNES 637 | Nutrition for Physically Active Populations | Winter 2024 |
Awards
- Earle Willard McHenry Award for Distinguished Service in Nutrition, Canadian Nutrition Society. 2021
- Killam Annual Professor, Killam Trust. 2020
- Human Performance Laboratory Faculty Award, 2020
- GREAT Supervisor Award, Faculty of Graduate Studies University of Calgary. 2016
- Teaching Award for Graduate Supervision Nominee, University of Calgary . 2015
- Teaching Excellence Award Nominee, Students' Union University of Calgary. 2015
- Researcher of the Month , Canadians for Health Research. 2015
- Fellow of The Obesity Society, 2013
- Centrum Foundation New Scientist Award for Outstanding Research in Nutrition, Canadian Nutrition Society. 2012
Publications
In the News
- New study on children shows fibre supplement changes gut bacteria. UToday . (2017)
- Low-calorie sweeteners pose a risk to developing babies, research says. CTV News. (2020)
Are you the profile owner?
Login to edit.