Dennis Joe Bobilya
Welcome!
I hope you find this web page useful. It is intended as an introduction. I hope you will be interested in finding out more about me and the work I am doing. I would be very happy to reply to any of your questions or comments. I am always looking for new friends and colleagues with whom I can share my interests. I would be happy to consider any proposals for collaboration. And I am always looking for enthusiastic new students who might want to work in my research laboratory.
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Work Information 
Contact Information
Work Information
Associate Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry
Department of Animal and Nutritional Sciences
University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824-3590
University Education
Doctoral Degree, Nutrition Area, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 8/89
Master of Science, Animal Science, Michigan State Univ., E. Lansing, MI, 12/85
Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry, PurdueUniversity, W. Lafayette, IN, 5/82
Employment Experience
Associate Professor, Dept. Animal & Nutritional Sciences, Univ. New Hampshire, 6/97 - Present
Assistant Professor, Dept. Animal & Nutritional Sciences, Univ. New Hampshire, 8/91 - 6/97
Research Associate, USDAHumanNutritionResearchCenter, Grand Forks, ND, 8/89 - 8/91
Research Assistant, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 7/86 - 8/89
Research Assistant, Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, MI, 9/82 - 6/86
Peace Corps Volunteer, Guatemala, Central America, 6/79 - 6/81
Professional Organizations
American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Society of Nutritional Science
American Society of Animal Sciences
American Society for Clinical Nutrition
Comparative Nutrition Society
International Society for Trace Element Research in Humans
Sigma Xi
Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine
Research Interests
I am investigating the transport and metabolism of zinc and the physiology of the blood brain barrier.
I am working to understand the mechanism(s) for the transport of zinc into cells and through the endothelium, between the blood and surrounding tissues. Of particular interest is transport at the blood-brain barrier. Additionally, I want to identify physiological factors that regulate the directional movement of zinc into and across this cellular barrier. This knowledge should enhance our understanding of the regulation of zinc distribution among tissues, especially during periods of inadequate intake, and may aid in the development of a reliable test of nutritional zinc status. Research models include a porcine animal model and in vitro cultures of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells and porcine aortic, venous, and brain capillary endothelial cells.
Our lab is also studying the physiology of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) by using an in vitro model. We isolate the capillary endothelial cells from porcine brain tissue and grow the cells into an endothelial cell layer in the laboratory. We are testing the influences of heat stress on the permeability of the BBB. Heat stress from environmental exposure or an inflammatory-induced fever response causes the BBB to open and permit substances to leave the blood and enter the brain that normally do not do so. This has pathological implications in that this leads to loss of consciousness ands coma. It also has potential therapeutic applications in the controlled delivery of pharmaceutical compounds to the brain to treat neurological disorders.
Teaching Interests
Nutritional Biochemistry - Detailed course of physiological biochemistry for seniors and graduate students interested in a career in medicine, nutrition, or clinical sciences. Emphasis on writing descriptive explanations of digestion, metabolism, biochemistry, and physiological function of essential nutrients.
Sports Nutrition - Evaluation of the physiological and biochemical functions of nutrients during sports and exercise. Intended for juniors and seniors with prerequisite knowledge in nutrition and physiology. A writing intensive course.
Vitamin Nutrition - Detailed analysis of the digestion, absorption, transport, and intermediary metabolism of vitamins as essential nutrients. The chemical and biochemical characteristics of vitamins are examined to account for their physiological functions. A speaking and discussion intensive course. Graduate students only.
Mineral Nutrition - Detailed analysis of the digestion, absorption, transport, and intermediary metabolism of minerals as essential nutrients. The chemical and biochemical characteristics of minerals are examined to account for their physiological functions. A speaking and discussion intensive course. Graduate students only.
Graduate Seminar - Survey of recent advances in animal and nutritional sciences. Graduate students gain experience by presenting seminars that encompass the published literature in their field of interest. External speakers are also invited to present seminars. Graduate students only.
Introduction to Research - Survey of various aspects of research that are pertinent to the beginning graduate student. Graduate students gain experience in research design and analysis. Grant proposal and manuscript writing is practiced and evaluated. Slide seminar presentations are prepared, practiced, and evaluated. Logistical and practical aspects of being a graduate student are discussed. Graduate students only.
Contact Information
My e-mail address at work is: dbobilya@cisunix.unh.edu
Regular mail can be sent to:
Dennis Bobilya
Department of Animal and Nutritional Sciences
Kendall Hall
University of New Hampshire
Durham , NH 03824-3590
Office phone number is (603) 862-3496
Office FAX number is (603) 862-3758
Research Interests | Publication List | Research Laboratory
Last Revised on 10/2007.
