College of Biological Science
Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences
Email: davidma@uoguelph.ca
Office: ANNU 342
Ext: 52272
Lab: ANNU 376
Dr. Ma’s research is focused on the influence of dietary fats on health and disease, with emphasis on the prevention of chronic disease. This includes the role of omega-3 fatty acids on breast cancer prevention, specifically investigating role in decreased mammary tumour development. Additional research includes nutrigenomics, bone development, brain health and Alzheimer’s disease.
Modern transgenic and knockout mouse models are employed to investigate the role of fatty acids in breast cancer prevention. An area of focus is to understand how nutrients such as fatty acids influence mammary gland development at the cellular and molecular level. Recent investigations focus on the influence of omega-3 fatty acids on mammary stem cells and cell fate.
Recent publications relating to regenerative medicine (2012-present):
- Liu J, Ma DW. The Role of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Prevention and Treatment of Breast Cancer. Nutrients. 2014 Nov 18;6(11):5184-223.
- Anderson BM, Maclennan MB, Hillyer LM, Ma DW. Lifelong exposure to n-3 PUFA affects pubertal mammary gland development. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2014 Jun;39(6):699-706.
- Maclennan MB, Clarke SE, Perez K, Wood GA, Muller WJ, Kang JX, Ma DW. Mammary tumor development is directly inhibited by lifelong n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. J Nutr Biochem. 2013 Jan;24(1):388-95.