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Dr Sylvia Duncan

Dr Sylvia Duncan

Sylvia Duncan

 +44(0)1224 438680

  sylvia.duncan@abdn.ac.uk

The Rowett Institute,
Ashgrove Road West,
Aberdeen
AB25 2ZD

Biography

I am a microbiologist at the Rowett Institute and my research interests include anaerobic microbiology and metabolite profiling of gut microbial communities, including studies on controlled human dietary intervention studies to gain information on the dynamics of the gut microbiota, inter-individual colonic microbial variability and the responsiveness of the gut microbiota to dietary shifts.

I have isolated and characterised some of the key bacterial species from the human colon that degrade prebiotics and complex fibres and studies on these isolates has led to identity of which species make a major contribution to the synthesis of the main short chain fatty acids, acetate, propionate and butyrate. This work also includes studies on species that convert lactic acid into butyrate and that may have important health consequences.

Leading Ideas

  • Healthier Diets

Area of Strategic Research Programme

Further information the Scottish Government's Strategic Research Programme is available

  • Theme 3: Food, Health and Wellbeing
  • 3.2 - Healthy Diets and Dietary Choice
  • 3.2.2 Dietary components of healthy diets and their effects