Experimental and clinical applications of molecular cell biology in nutrition and metabolism

Rapid advances in molecular biology have yielded important new techniques for understanding the cellular mechanisms of normal homeostasis and disease. In particular, molecular laboratory methodologies have become important investigative tools for nutritional studies. Detection techniques for specific DNAs, RNAs, and proteins allow direct examination of cellular regulation of protein expression in health and illness. Construction of transgeneic models by recent techniques of inserting foreign genes into experimental animals has provided novel models for studies of cellular metabolism. In addition, molecular biology has had impact on clinical nutrition and therapy. Molecular techniques not only allow for early diagnosis of many inborn genetic errors of metabolism, recombinant technology has also provided for large-scale production of proteins and hormones of potential therapeutic value. The possibility for direct gene therapies is also nearing reality. Hence, understanding the language of molecular biology and the recent developments in this field is not only of research interest, but is also of clinical relevance.