Find us on: University of East Anglia on Facebook Follow University of East Anglia news on Twitter University of East Anglia's YouTube channel

Research Associate

Dr David Vauzour

David Vauzour
Job Title Contact Location
Senior Postdoctoral Research Associate  D dot Vauzour at uea dot ac dot uk
Tel: +44 (0)1603 59 1732  
 
  • Personal
  • Research
  • Publications
  • External

Biography

Professional Qualifications and professional memberships

  • PhD in Chemical and Biological Sciences for Health, Faculty of Pharmacy, University Montpellier 1, France
  • MSc in Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University Bordeaux 2, France
  • BSc in Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry/Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University Bordeaux 2, France
  • Member of The Groupe Polyphenols
  • Member of the Biochemical Society

Career

  • Senior Research Associate, University of East Anglia, UK (2011-present)
  • Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, University of Reading, UK (2008-2011) (BBSRC Fellowship)
  • Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, University of Reading, UK (2005-2008) (MRC Fellowship)

Key Research Interests

  • Neurodegenerative disorders
  • Phytochemicals
  • Neuroinflammation
  • Memory, learning and neuro-cognitive performances
  • Molecular mechanisms
  • Association between the APOE4 genotype and chronic disease risk

My research interest is to develop novel dietary or therapeutic strategies to delay brain ageing, cognitive decline and cardiovascular disease, including stroke and vascular dementia and involves the fields of oxidative stress, free radical biochemistry, neurodegeneration and the health effects of dietary polyphenols, such as flavonoids. Concurrently, my major research interests centre on two functionally associated fields of biomedical sciences: 1) The elucidation of cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the toxicity exerted by endogenously formed compounds, as well as exogenous agents, believed to be involved in various degenerative diseases; 2) The cellular and molecular principles involved in the protective effects evoked by potentially beneficial natural compounds.

Using a variety of experimental models including primary brain cell culture, age-related cognitive decline rodents and human intervention trials, my initial work has provided further insights into the potential for phytochemicals and their in vivo metabolites to promote human vascular function, decrease (neuro)inflammation, enhance memory, learning and neuro-cognitive performances and to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease pathophysiology. This work has led to substantial knowledge of potential mechanisms of action of phytochemicals based on their modulation of intracellular signalling pathways. In particular, my major contribution has been to show that phytochemicals exert such diverse biological effects through their modulation of intracellular signalling pathways (MAP kinases, PI3 kinase/Akt and Keap-1/Nrf2). My recent interests concern the investigation of the aetiological basis of APOE genotype-disease associations, and the impact of this common genotype on responsiveness to dietary changes. This work is very much at the translational end of the research spectrum and aligned with the current move towards a more personalised approach to disease prevention and therapeutics.



Selected recent publications

Vauzour, D. (2012) Dietary Polyphenols as Modulators of Brain Functions: Biological Actions and Molecular Mechanisms Underpinning Their Beneficial Effects. Oxid Med Cell Longev. doi:10.1155/2012/914273

Rendeiro, C, Vauzour, D, Kean, RJ, Butler, LT, Rattray, M, Spencer, JPE and Williams, CM (2012) Blueberry supplementation induces spatial memory improvements and region-specific regulation of hippocampal BDNF mRNA expression in young rats. Psychopharmacology. 223(3). Pp 319-330

Spencer, JPE, Vafeiadou, K, Williams, RJ and Vauzour, D (2012) Neuroinflammation: Modulation by flavonoids and mechanisms of action. Molecular Aspects of Medicine, 33 (1). pp. 83-97.

Spilsbury, A, Vauzour, D, Spencer, JPE and Rattray, M (2012) Regulation of NF-κB activity in astrocytes: Effects of flavonoids at dietary-relevant concentrations. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 418(3). pp. 578-583

Vauzour, D and Minihane, A-M (2012) Neuroinflammation and the APOε genotype: Implications for Alzheimer's disease and modulation by dietary flavonoids and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Nutrition and Aging, 1 (1). pp. 41-53.

Vauzour, D, Buonfiglio, M, Corona, G, Chirafisi, J, Vafeiadou, K, Angeloni, C, Hrelia, S, Hrelia, P and Spencer, JPE (2010) Sulforaphane protects cortical neurons against 5-S-cysteinyl-dopamine-induced toxicity through the activation of ERK1/2, Nrf-2 and the upregulation of detoxification enzymes. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 54 (4). pp. 532-42.

Vauzour, D, Corona, G and Spencer, JPE (2010) Caffeic acid, tyrosol and p-coumaric acid are potent inhibitors of 5-S-cysteinyl-dopamine induced neurotoxicity. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 501 (1). pp. 106-11.

Vauzour, D, Houseman, ej, George, TW, Corona, G, Garnotel, R, Jackson, KG, Sellier, C, Gillery, P, Kennedy, OB, Lovegrove, JA and Spencer, JPE (2010) Moderate Champagne consumption promotes an acute improvement in acute endothelIal-independent vascular function in healthy human volunteers. The British Journal of Nutrition, 103 (8). pp. 1168-78.

Vauzour, D, Ravaioli, G, Vafeiadou, K, Rodriguez-Mateos, A, Angeloni, C and Spencer, JPE (2008) Peroxynitrite induced formation of the neurotoxins 5-S-cysteinyl-dopamine and DHBT-1: implications for Parkinson's disease and protection by polyphenols. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 476 (2). pp. 145-51.

Vauzour, D, Vafeiadou, K, Rodriguez-Mateos, A, Rendeiro, C and Spencer, JPE (2008) The neuroprotective potential of flavonoids: a multiplicity of effects. Genes & Nutrition, 3 (3-4). pp. 115-26.

Williams, CM, El Mohsen, MA, Vauzour, D, Rendeiro, C, Butler, LT, Ellis, JA, Whiteman, M and Spencer, JPE (2008) Blueberry-induced changes in spatial working memory correlate with changes in hippocampal CREB phosphorylation and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 45 (3). pp. 295-305.

Vauzour, D, Vafeiadou, K, Rice-Evans, C, Williams, RJ and Spencer, JPE (2007) Activation of pro-survival Akt and ERK1/2 signalling pathways underlie the anti-apoptotic effects of flavanones in cortical neurons. Journal of Neurochemistry, 103 (4). pp. 1355-67. 


Number of items: 46.

Article

Rendeiro, C, Vauzour, D, Kean, RJ, Butler, LT, Rattray, M, Spencer, JPE and Williams, CM (2012) Blueberry supplementation induces spatial memory improvements and region-specific regulation of hippocampal BDNF mRNA expression in young rats. Psychopharmacology, 223 (3). pp. 319-330. ISSN 0033-3158

Gómez-Alonso, S, Collins, VJ, Vauzour, D, Rodríguez-Mateos, A, Corona, G and Spencer, JPE (2012) Inhibition of colon adenocarcinoma cell proliferation by flavonols is linked to a G2/M cell cycle block and reduction in cyclin D1 expression. Food Chemistry, 130 (3). pp. 493-500. ISSN 03088146

Spencer, JPE, Vafeiadou, K, Williams, RJ and Vauzour, D (2012) Neuroinflammation: Modulation by flavonoids and mechanisms of action. Molecular aspects of medicine, 33 (1). pp. 83-97. ISSN 1872-9452

Spilsbury, A, Vauzour, D, Spencer, JPE and Rattray, M (2012) Regulation of NF-κB activity in astrocytes: Effects of flavonoids at dietary-relevant concentrations. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. ISSN 0006291X

Vauzour, D (2012) Dietary Polyphenols as Modulators of Brain Functions: Biological Actions and Molecular Mechanisms Underpinning Their Beneficial Effects. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2012. pp. 1-16. ISSN 1942-0900

Vauzour, D and Minihane, A-M (2012) Neuroinflammation and the APOε genotype: Implications for Alzheimer's disease and modulation by dietary flavonoids and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Nutrition and Aging, 1 (1). pp. 41-53. ISSN 1879-7725

Vauzour, D and Spencer, JPE (2011) The impact of blueberry flavonoids on learning and memory. AGRO FOOD INDUSTRY HI-TECH , 22 (5). pp. 13-15. ISSN 1722-6996

Corona, G, Tang, F, Vauzour, D, Rodriguez-Mateos, A and Spencer, JPE (2011) Assessment of the anthocyanidin content of common fruits and development of a test diet rich in a range of anthocyanins. Journal of Berry Research, 1 (4). pp. 209-216.

Pinto, J, Paiva-Martins, F, Corona, G, Debnam, ES, Jose Oruna-Concha, M, Vauzour, D, Gordon, MH and Spencer, JPE (2011) Absorption and metabolism of olive oil secoiridoids in the small intestine. The British Journal of Nutrition, 105 (11). pp. 1607-18. ISSN 1475-2662

Vauzour, D, Corona, G, Hercelin, J, Garnotel, R, Gillery, P, Lovegrove, JA, Williams, CM and Spencer, JPE (2011) Potential Health Effects of Champagne Wine Consumption. Journal of Wine Research, 22 (2). pp. 175-180. ISSN 0957-1264

Vauzour, D, Vafeiadou, K, Rendeiro, C, Corona, G and Spencer, JPE (2010) The inhibitory effects of berry-derived flavonoids against neurodegenerative processes. Journal of Berry Research, 1 (1). pp. 45-52.

Incani, A, Deiana, M, Corona, G, Vafeiadou, K, Vauzour, D, Dessì, MA and Spencer, JPE (2010) Involvement of ERK, Akt and JNK signalling in H2O2-induced cell injury and protection by hydroxytyrosol and its metabolite homovanillic alcohol. Molecular nutrition & food research, 54 (6). pp. 788-96. ISSN 1613-4133

Vauzour, D, Buonfiglio, M, Corona, G, Chirafisi, J, Vafeiadou, K, Angeloni, C, Hrelia, S, Hrelia, P and Spencer, JPE (2010) Sulforaphane protects cortical neurons against 5-S-cysteinyl-dopamine-induced toxicity through the activation of ERK1/2, Nrf-2 and the upregulation of detoxification enzymes. Molecular nutrition & food research, 54 (4). pp. 532-42. ISSN 1613-4133

Vauzour, D, Corona, G and Spencer, JPE (2010) Caffeic acid, tyrosol and p-coumaric acid are potent inhibitors of 5-S-cysteinyl-dopamine induced neurotoxicity. Archives of biochemistry and biophysics, 501 (1). pp. 106-11. ISSN 1096-0384

Vauzour, D, Houseman, ej, George, TW, Corona, G, Garnotel, R, Jackson, KG, Sellier, C, Gillery, P, Kennedy, OB, Lovegrove, JA and Spencer, JPE (2010) Moderate Champagne consumption promotes an acute improvement in acute endothelIal-independent vascular function in healthy human volunteers. The British journal of nutrition, 103 (8). pp. 1168-78. ISSN 1475-2662

Vauzour, D, Rodriguez-Mateos, A, Corona, G, Oruna-Concha, MJ and Spencer, JPE (2010) Polyphenols and Human Health: Prevention of Disease and Mechanisms of Action. Nutrients, 2 (11). pp. 1106-1131. ISSN 2072-6643

Corona, G, Deiana, M, Incani, A, Vauzour, D, Dessì, MA and Spencer, JPE (2009) Hydroxytyrosol inhibits the proliferation of human colon adenocarcinoma cells through inhibition of ERK1/2 and cyclin D1. Molecular nutrition & food research, 53 (7). pp. 897-903. ISSN 1613-4133

Rendeiro, C, Spencer, JPE, Vauzour, D, Butler, LT, Ellis, JA and Williams, CM (2009) The impact of flavonoids on spatial memory in rodents: from behaviour to underlying hippocampal mechanisms. Genes & nutrition. ISSN 1555-8932

Spencer, JPE, Vauzour, D and Rendeiro, C (2009) Flavonoids and cognition: the molecular mechanisms underlying their behavioural effects. Archives of biochemistry and biophysics, 492 (1-2). pp. 1-9. ISSN 1096-0384

Vafeiadou, K, Vauzour, D, Lee, HY, Rodriguez-Mateos, A, Williams, RJ and Spencer, JPE (2009) The citrus flavanone naringenin inhibits inflammatory signalling in glial cells and protects against neuroinflammatory injury. Archives of biochemistry and biophysics, 484 (1). pp. 100-9. ISSN 1096-0384

Cooper, AJL, Pinto, JT, Krasnikov, BF, Niatsetskaya, ZV, Han, Q, Li, J, Vauzour, D and Spencer, JPE (2008) Substrate specificity of human glutamine transaminase K as an aminotransferase and as a cysteine S-conjugate beta-lyase. Archives of biochemistry and biophysics, 474 (1). pp. 72-81. ISSN 1096-0384

Vafeiadou, K, Vauzour, D, Rodriguez-Mateos, A, Whiteman, M, Williams, RJ and Spencer, JPE (2008) Glial metabolism of quercetin reduces its neurotoxic potential. Archives of biochemistry and biophysics, 478 (2). pp. 195-200. ISSN 1096-0384

Vauzour, D, Ravaioli, G, Vafeiadou, K, Rodriguez-Mateos, A, Angeloni, C and Spencer, JPE (2008) Peroxynitrite induced formation of the neurotoxins 5-S-cysteinyl-dopamine and DHBT-1: implications for Parkinson's disease and protection by polyphenols. Archives of biochemistry and biophysics, 476 (2). pp. 145-51. ISSN 1096-0384

Vauzour, D, Vafeiadou, K, Rodriguez-Mateos, A, Rendeiro, C and Spencer, JPE (2008) The neuroprotective potential of flavonoids: a multiplicity of effects. Genes & nutrition, 3 (3-4). pp. 115-26. ISSN 1555-8932

Williams, CM, El Mohsen, MA, Vauzour, D, Rendeiro, C, Butler, LT, Ellis, JA, Whiteman, M and Spencer, JPE (2008) Blueberry-induced changes in spatial working memory correlate with changes in hippocampal CREB phosphorylation and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. Free radical biology & medicine, 45 (3). pp. 295-305. ISSN 0891-5849

Corona, G, Deiana, M, Incani, A, Vauzour, D, Dessì, MA and Spencer, JPE (2007) Inhibition of p38/CREB phosphorylation and COX-2 expression by olive oil polyphenols underlies their anti-proliferative effects. Biochemical and biophysical research communications, 362 (3). pp. 606-11. ISSN 0006-291X

Vafeiadou, K, Vauzour, D and Spencer, JPE (2007) Neuroinflammation and its modulation by flavonoids. Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets, 7 (3). pp. 211-24. ISSN 1871-5303

Vauzour, D, Vafeiadou, K, Corona, G, Pollard, SE, Tzounis, X and Spencer, JPE (2007) Champagne wine polyphenols protect primary cortical neurons against peroxynitrite-induced injury. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 55 (8). pp. 2854-60. ISSN 0021-8561

Vauzour, D, Vafeiadou, K, Rice-Evans, C, Cadenas, E and Spencer, JPE (2007) Inhibition of cellular proliferation by the genistein metabolite 5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxyisoflavone is mediated by DNA damage and activation of the ATR signalling pathway. Archives of biochemistry and biophysics, 468 (2). pp. 159-66. ISSN 1096-0384

Vauzour, D, Vafeiadou, K, Rice-Evans, C, Williams, RJ and Spencer, JPE (2007) Activation of pro-survival Akt and ERK1/2 signalling pathways underlie the anti-apoptotic effects of flavanones in cortical neurons. Journal of neurochemistry, 103 (4). pp. 1355-67. ISSN 1471-4159

Vauzour, D, Vafeiadou, K and Spencer, JPE (2007) Inhibition of the formation of the neurotoxin 5-S-cysteinyl-dopamine by polyphenols. Biochemical and biophysical research communications, 362 (2). pp. 340-6. ISSN 0006-291X

Hernandez-Montes, E, Pollard, SE, Vauzour, D, Jofre-Montseny, L, Rota, C, Rimbach, G, Weinberg, PD and Spencer, JPE (2006) Activation of glutathione peroxidase via Nrf1 mediates genistein's protection against oxidative endothelial cell injury. Biochemical and biophysical research communications, 346 (3). pp. 851-9. ISSN 0006-291X

Nguyen, DT, Hernandez-Montes, E, Vauzour, D, Schönthal, AH, Rice-Evans, C, Cadenas, E and Spencer, JPE (2006) The intracellular genistein metabolite 5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxyisoflavone mediates G2-M cell cycle arrest in cancer cells via modulation of the p38 signaling pathway. Free radical biology & medicine, 41 (8). pp. 1225-39. ISSN 0891-5849

Pollard, SE, Kuhnle, GGC, Vauzour, D, Vafeiadou, K, Tzounis, X, Whiteman, M, Rice-Evans, C and Spencer, JPE (2006) The reaction of flavonoid metabolites with peroxynitrite. Biochemical and biophysical research communications, 350 (4). pp. 960-8. ISSN 0006-291X

Berké, B, Vauzour, D, Castagnino, C, Arnaudinaud, V, Nay, B, Chèze, C and Vercauteren, J (2003) [Wine and health: recent findings]. Journal de pharmacie de Belgique, 58 (3). pp. 57-74. ISSN 0047-2166

Book Section

Vauzour, D, Vafeiadou, K and Spencer, JPE (2012) Polyphenols. In: Phytonutrients. Wiley-Blackwell, pp. 110-145. ISBN 9781405131513

Vauzour, D and Vafeiadou, K (2012) Flavonoids and Neuroinflammation. In: Flavonoids and Related Compounds: Bioavailability and Function. CRC Press. (In Press)

Vauzour, D, Rodriguez-Mateos, A, Corona, G, Oruna-Concha, MJ and Spencer, JPE (2011) The Impact of Polyphenols on Human Health. In: Advances in Medicine and Biology. Nova Science Publishers, Inc, pp. 41-80. (In Press)

Vauzour, D and Spencer, JPE (2011) Flavonoids and Brain Health. In: Phytochemicals and Human Health: Pharmacological and Molecular Aspects - A Tribute to Late Professor Bimal Kumar Bachhawat. Food Science and Technology; Public Health in the 21st Century . Nova Science Publishers, Inc., pp. 47-75. ISBN 978-1-61761-196-4

Spencer, JPE, Vauzour, D, Vafeiadou, K and Rodriguez-Mateos, A (2010) Dietary Flavonoids as Neuroprotective Agents. In: Micronutrients and Brain Health (Oxidative Stress and Disease). CRC Press, pp. 207-223.

Spencer, JPE, Vauzour, D, Vafeiadou, K and Rodriguez-Mateos, A (2008) The beneficial effects of dietary flavonoids: sources, bioavailability and biological functions. In: Health benefits of organic food: effects of the environment. CAB International, pp. 207-239.

Conference or Workshop Item

Spencer⁎, JPE, Rendeiro, C, Vauzour, D, Williams, C, Butler, L and Rodriguez-Mateos, A (2012) The impact of polyphenols and flavonoids on memory, learning and neuro-cognitive performance. In: Society for Free Radical Research International 16th Biennial Meeting, 6-9 September 2012, London, UK, Imperial College London.

Spilsbury, A, Vauzour, D, Spencer, JPE and Rattray, M (2011) Regulation of NF-kappaB activity in astrocytes: the effects of flavonoids at dietary-relevant concentrations. In: 10th European Meeting on Glial Cells in Health and Disease, 13-17 Sept 2011, Prague.

Vauzour, D, Li, X, Bourquin, A, Ou, X, Spencer, JPE and Jauregi, P (2011) Neuroprotective actions of astaxanthin in cultured cortical neurones. In: Nutrition Society Summer Meeting, 4-6 July 2011, Reading, UK.

Clarke, VJ, Vauzour, D, Gordon, MH, Ames, JM, Muller, R and Spencer, JPE (2007) Polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of beer. In: Nutrition Society Summer Meeting, 16-19 July 2007, Coleraine, Ireland.

Vauzour, D, Vafeiadou, K and Spencer, JPE (2007) The ability of dietary polyphenols to protect against endogenously-formed neurotoxins. In: Nutrition Society Summer Meeting, 16-19 July 2007, Coleraine, Ireland.

This list was generated on Thu Apr 4 19:11:20 2013 BST.

External Activities and Indicators of Esteem

  • Invited and current member of the editorial board of: Nutrition and Aging; Neuroscience & Medicine; Journal of Food Science and Engineering
  • Member of the “Groupe Polyphenols” Board Committee (http://www.groupepolyphenols.com/)
  • Member of the Alcohol in Moderation’s Social, Scientific and Medical Council (http://www.aim-digest.com/)
  • Invited and chartered member of the IFSAR (International Scientific Forum on Alcohol Research) (http://www.bu.edu/alcohol-forum/)
  • Referee for research proposals submitted to the Alzheimer’s Association and the French National Research Agency (ANR).
  • I regularly review manuscripts for the Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Free Radicals in Biology and Medicine; European Journal of Nutrition; Journal of neurochemistry, Food and chemical Toxicology, Food & Function; British Journal of Pharmacology; Neuropharmacology; Brain Research, Genes & Nutrition; Journal of Wine Research; Cell Biology and Toxicology; British Journal of Nutrition; Nutrition and Cancer, Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters and Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
  • Invited speaker Nov 2011: 6th International Wine and Heart Health Summit, Newberg, Oregon
  • Outreach July 2010: “Antioxidants and brain health benefits” (Decision News Media, Brussels); http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Antioxidants-demonstrate-brain-health-benefits
  • Invited speaker June 2010: Antioxidants 2010: Science, testing and regulation, Brussels, Belgium
  • Invited speaker Jan 2009: National Institute of Human Nutrition (IRNHA), Bordeaux, France
  • Invited speaker Sept 2009: 5th Probiotics, Prebiotics & New Foods Meeting, Rome, Italy
  • Invited speaker Dec 2006: International Networking for Young Scientists (INYS), Lund, Sweden

QR code for David Vauzour

Send this page to your mobile phone by scanning this code using a 2D barcode (QR Code) reader. These can be installed on most modern Smart Phones.