Contact details +6492136646

Associate Professor Kay Rutherfurd-Markwick BSc(Hons), PhD

Associate Professor in Pathophysiology

Doctoral Mentor Supervisor
School of Health Sciences

I have considerable experience investigating the effects of dietary supplementation (including probiotics) on immune function in a wide range of species, including humans, cats, dogs, mice and chickens. This research work has assisted in the development of functions foods for humans. Two new dairy products sold by Fonterra into Asia since 2000 were a result of my research work. The probiotic strain, DR10 (HN019 in publications), was originally marketed in Fernleaf DefenseÔ (winner of the Trade NZ Food Export Award, 2000) and has now been licensed to Danisco one of the world’s largest ingredient companies.

I have also worked for a number of years investigating the biochemistry of unusual sulphur amino acids such as felinine and isovalthine which are excreted in cat urine. Recent work has focused on determining the mechanism of felinine formation and the isolation and identification of other felinine containing excretion products such as Acetyl-felinine, and also determining the effects of dietary supplementation on isovalthine excretion. This felinine research work has proved to be ground-breaking, and has made a significant contribution to new knowledge in sulphur amino acid metabolism in cats. Current research is extending this work with a research project aimed to determine if humans with certain metabolic disorders such as severe diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia and hypothyroidism excrete isovalthine.

New areas of research include the expansion of techniques developed in animals for use in humans in a project which aims to correlate electrolyte levels in serum, saliva, sweat and urine in resting and exercising humans

Considerable experience investigating the effects of dietary supplementation (including probiotics) on immune function in a wide range of species (humans, cats, dogs, mice, chickens). Have also worked for a number of years investigating the biochemistry of unusual sulphur amino acids eg. felinine and isovalthine (excreted in cat urine), This felinine research work has proved to be ground-breaking, and has made a significant contribution to new knowledge in sulphur amino acid metabolism in cats. Current research is extending this work with a project aimed to determine if humans with certain metabolic disorders such as severe diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia and hypothyroidism excrete isovalthine.

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Professional

Contact details

Ph: 094140800 EXT:43646
Location: Level 3, Sir Neil Waters Extension
Campus: Albany

Qualifications

Bachelor of Science (Honours) - Massey University (1985)
Doctor of Philosophy - Massey University (1989)

Research Expertise

Research Interests

Immunology, Bioactive Peptides/Proteins, Functional Foods, Probiotics, Protein Chemistry, Nutritional Biochemistry for Companion Animals

Thematics

Health and Well-being

Area of Expertise

Field of research codes
Analytical Biochemistry (060101): Biochemistry and Cell Biology (060100): Biological Sciences (060000): Cell Development, Proliferation and Death (060103): Cell Metabolism (060104):
Clinical Chemistry (diagnostics) (110302): Clinical Sciences (110300):
Enzymes (060107):
Medical And Health Sciences (110000): Medical Biochemistry and Metabolomics (110100): Medical Biochemistry: Amino Acids and Metabolites (110101): Medical Biochemistry: Proteins and Peptides (incl. Medical Proteomics) (110106): Nutrition and Dietetics (111100): Pathology (110316)

Keywords

Immunology, Bioactive Peptides/Proteins, Functional Foods, Probiotics, Protein Chemistry, Nutritional Biochemistry for Companion Animals, Method Development

Teaching and Supervision

Teaching Statement

Current papers taught:

202.371 Human Genetics and Molecular and Clinical Diagnoses

151.231 Food Chemistry for Nutrition

151.332 Nutrition for Sports and Performance

151.718 Macronutrient Nutrition

151.708 Research Methods

Contact Supervisor

Current Doctoral Supervision

Co-supervisor of:

Reder Mohammedsalih - Doctor of Philosophy
The effect of beetroot juice intake on reducing blood pressure in pre-hypertensive hypertensive populations
Boying Wang - Doctor of Philosophy
Characterisation of Isolated AAB & Yeasts from Kombucha Culture & During Fermentation
Krutika Nanavati - Doctor of Philosophy
Individual and additive effects of blackcurrant juice and caffeine intake on high intensity intermittent exercise performance
Cameron Haswell - Doctor of Philosophy
Improving glucose control in prediabetes: hypoglycaemic potential of beetroot and blackcurrant juice
Indika Serasinghe Mudiyanselage - Doctor of Philosophy
Investigation into the development of probiotic starter culture for industrial production of sauerkraut

Completed Doctoral Supervision

Main Supervisor of:

2020 - Sherina Holland - Doctor of Philosophy
Interactions between MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines and neutrophils
2015 - Zirsha Wharemate - Doctor of Philosophy
Investigations into the Nutritional and Sensory Potential of Taewa (Maori Potatoes)