Ahmed El-Sohemy, Ph.D.

Associate Professor Canada Research Chair in Nutrigenomics Department of Nutritional Sciences Faculty of Medicine University of Toronto FitzGerald Building, Room 350 150 College Street Toronto ON M5S 3E2 CANADA Tel: (416) 946-5776 Fax: (416) 978-5882 E-mail: a.el.sohemy@utoronto.ca

Research

The overall goal of my research program in nutrigenomics is to identify biomarkers of dietary exposure and elucidate the genetic basis for variability in nutrient response and dietary preferences. Our research program employs metabolomics, proteomics and genomics to study the effects of diet on human health. This approach will help us to understand how genetic and dietary factors interact to regulate various metabolic and biochemical pathways involved in the development of chronic diseases. We are currently investigating the role of genetic polymorphisms of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in the development of coronary heart disease, and how genetic differences affecting inflammation interact with diet to alter biomarkers of the metabolic syndrome. Other research projects focus on micronutrient genomics, genetics of caffeine response and genetic determinants of sugar consumption.

Selected Publications

• Cahill, L., and El-Sohemy, A. (2010) Haptoglobin genotype modifies the association between dietary vitamin C and serum ascorbic acid deficiency. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 92:1494-500.
• Eny, K.M, Wolever, T.M.S., Corey, P.N. and El-Sohemy, A. (2010) Genetic variation in TAS1R2 (Ile191Val) is associated with consumption of sugars in overweight and obese individuals in two distinct populations. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 92:1501-10.
• Eny, K., Cory, P. and El-Sohemy, A. (2009) Dopamine D2 receptor genotype (C957T) is associated with habitual sugar consumption in a free-living population. J. Nutrigenetics Nutrigenomics 2: 235-242.
• Cahill, L., Fontaine-Bisson, B. and El-Sohemy, A. (2009) Functional genetic variant of glutathione S-transferase protects against ascorbic acid deficiency. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 90:1411-17.
• Cahill, L., and El-Sohemy, A. (2009) Vitamin C transporter gene polymorphisms, dietary vitamin C and serum ascorbic acid. J. Nutrigenetics Nutrigenomics. 2: 292-301.
• Cahill, L., Cory, P. and El-Sohemy, A. (2009) Vitamin C deficiency in a population of young Canadian adults. Am. J. Epidemiol. 170: 464-71.
• Fontaine-Bisson, B., Wolever, T.M.S., Connelly, P.W., Corey, P.N. and El-Sohemy, A. (2009) NF_-κB -94Ins/Del ATTG polymorphism modifies the association between dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and HDL-cholesterol in two distinct populations. Atherosclerosis 204: 465-470.
• Ozsungur, S., Brenner, D.M. and El-Sohemy, A. (2009) Fourteen well described caffeine withdrawal symptoms factor into three clusters. Psychopharmacology. 201: 541-48.
• Garcia-Bailo, B., Toguri, C., Eny, K.M. and El-Sohemy, A. (2009) Genetic variation in taste and its influence on food selection. OMICS: Journal of Integrative Biology. 13: 69-80.
• Eny, K., Wolever, T.M.S. Fontaine-Bisson, B. and El-Sohemy, A. (2008) Genetic variant in the glucose transporter type 2 is associated with higher intakes of sugars in two distinct populations. Physiol. Genomics 33: 355-60.
• El-Sohemy, A. (2008) The Science of Nutrigenomics. Health Law Reviews. 16:3, 5-8.
• Fontaine-Bisson, B. and El-Sohemy, A. (2008) Genetic polymorphisms of TNF_-α modify the association between dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and plasma HDL-cholesterol concentrations in a population of young adults. J Nutrigenet Nutrigenomics 1:215-223.
• Cornelis, M.C. and El-Sohemy, A. (2007) Coffee, caffeine and coronary heart disease. Curr. Opin. Lipidol. 18: 13-19.
• Cornelis, M.C., El-Sohemy, A., and Campos, H. (2007) Genetic polymorphism of the adenosine A2A receptor is associated with habitual caffeine consumption. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 86: 240-44.
• Cornelis, M.C., El-Sohemy, A., and Campos, H. (2007) GSTT1 genotype modifies the association between cruciferous vegetable intake and risk of myocardial infarction. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 86: 752-58.
• Cornelis, M.C., El-Sohemy, A., Kabagambe, E.K. and Campos, H. (2006) Coffee, CYP1A2 genotype, and Risk of Myocardial Infarction. JAMA. 295: 1135-41.