Ecophysiology of the gastrointestinal tract 6th International Advanced Course 26 February - 2 March 2007 Wageningen, The Netherlands organised by the Graduate Schools VLAG / WIAS, in co-operation with the Division of Human Nutrition and the Animal Nutrition Group, Wageningen University, The Netherlands

Introduction

Background
Developments in biotechnology, food technology and gene technology lead to increased possibilities for the development of novel foods. In addition to novel foods, development of functional foods, foods with health promoting properties, is gaining popularity among food companies, also because a healthy diet ranks high on the list of priorities of consumers. Where novel foods need to be evaluated to assess their safety, functional foods need to be tested for their efficacy. The physiological response of the human gastrointestinal tract to ingestion of novel- and functional foods is complicated, because it may involve the digestive function, the composition and metabolic activities of the intestinal flora, steroid metabolism and the immune system. The role of the intestinal microflora in this regard did not receive much attention from nutrition scientists in the past. Therefore this international course deals particularly with the ecophysiology of the gastrointestinal tract.

Target group
Persons interested in taking this course should have a graduate level in food science or a comparable background.

Course contents

Course aim
After the course participants have a thorough overview on the current state of knowledge on the ecophysiology of the gastrointestinal tract.

Programme topics
The course consists of a series of lectures, workshops and demonstrations, and includes an opportunity for presentations of the participants' own work. Issues to be discussed:

• Digestion physiology and pathology.
• Physiological significance of the intestinal flora and its micro-ecology.
• Micro-organisms in foods, food borne diseases and their public health aspects.
• Nutritional factors and bile acid metabolism.
• Effects of probiotics and prebiotics.
• Role of the intestinal flora for the local and systemic immune system.
• Application of lactic acid cultures in functional dairy products.
• The role of diet in intestinal pathology.
• Nutrigenomics in ecophysiology of the GI-tract.

Provisional programme

• Pathology of the colon, scope of the colon.
• Gastro intestinal physiology in humans, with special emphasis to the colon.
• The microbial ecosystem in the digestive tract of rumants.
• Clinical methods to study the physiology and pathology of the gastro-intestinal tract.
• Antibiotic replacement strategies in animal feeding practice
• The metabolic activities of the intestinal microbiota.
• Methods of analysis at the cellular intestinal level.
• Regulation of food polyphenols of gut flora and gene expression of the colon mucosa.
• Molecular analysis of the gastrointestinal microbiota
• The TNO intestinal models and their relevance to research on ecophysiology.
• Feed ingredients for the intestinal flora to improve animal health
• Interaction between diet, microflora and the resistance to intestinal pathogens.
• Nutrition and colon cancer - role of the micro flora.
• Intestinal immune system, effects of the intestinal flora on animal health.
• Interaction between probiotics and the immune system of the intestine.
• Food borne infections, frequency, causes and prevention.
• Genetics aspects of GI-physiology.
• Prebiotics and the intestinal flora of infants.

The programme includes a literature study and presentation by participants and a site visit to Yakult.

Organisation

Course coordinators

• Prof GJ Schaafsma, Wageningen University, Division of Human Nutrition
• Prof MWA Verstegen, Wageningen University, Animal Nutrition Group & Graduate School WIAS
• Mrs I van Leeuwen-Bol, Graduate School VLAG

Other faculty

• Prof P Dolara: University of Florence, Italy
• Prof I Rowland; University of Ulster, Northern Ireland
• Dr E Lund; Institute of Food Research, Norwich, UK
• Dr G Rijkers; University Medical Centre, Utrecht
• Prof H Savekoul, Prof M Zwietering, Prof S Tamminga, Dr S Kersten, Dr W Pellikaan, Dr E Zoetendal; Wageningen University
• Dr F Nagengast; University Medical Centre Nijmegen
• Prof R-J Brummer; WCFS/University Maastricht
• Dr K Venema, Dr R Havenaar; TNO Nutrition and Food Research Institute
• Dr W Fokkema; Lactive BV
• Dr H Snel; NIZO Food Research, Ede
• Dr J Bindels; Numico Research

General information

Date & duration
The course will be held from 26 February - 2 March 2007 (4.5 days).

Study load
The study load of this course is 1.7 ECTS credits / 36 hrs.

Language
The course will be conducted in English.

Location & accommodation
Lectures will be given at the Wageningen International Conference Centre (WICC). For hotel accommodation, contact the WICC, Phone: +31 317 490133, http://www.hofvanwageningen.nl/. Mention booking code: 'EC07'. The cost of bed/breakfast is about € 71 (single room).

Contact information
For more information contact: Prof. Schaafsma; E-mail: vlag@wur.nl
For organisational matters contact: Mrs I. van Leeuwen-Bol: phone: +31-317-486108, E-mail: Ingeborg.vanLeeuwen-Bol@wur.nl

Registration & course fee

The course fee is € 1450 (including lunches and one course dinner).
PhD-students will be charged € 430.
PhD-students affiliated with VLAG/WIAS will be charged € 195.

Cancellations may be made free of charge until 29 January 2007. After this date the charge will be 25% of the fee paid or due. Substitutions may be made at any time.

The registration form must be returned before 29 January 2007. You will be notified before 9 February 2007 on acceptance of your registration and you will be sent instructions for payment, and further information.

Photos

Click on the photo (course 2005) to enlarge it.

Ecophysiology 2003, social programme: "making our own cheese".
For a higher quality, click on the photo.