Clinical Research Unit |
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Clinical research is that part of the continuum of functional food
and nutraceutical research which is conducted in human beings. The
discipline incorporates the discoveries from the analytical science
laboratories with the measurements and observations of clinicians to
delineate the mechanisms of fucntional food and nutraceutical products
on human health and disease. Clinical research is necessary to prove
the safety and efficacy of the functional foods and nutraceuticals that
we develop. Efficacy, performance, palatability, and safety of
functional food and nutraceutical bio-actives and products require
verification through well designed, well executed human clinical
trials.
The Richardson Centre Clinical Research Unit (RCCRU) helps investigators conduct safe, controlled inpatient and outpatient studies of children and adults. The Richardson Centre Clinical Research Unit (RCCRU) has:
• An advanced metabolic kitchen facilities which permit careful preparation of fixed diets where nutrients and foods are specifically controlled to several dozen individuals simultaneously;
• Clinical office for physical examination;
• Blood collection facility. Specific blood tests including cardiovascular, immunological, hormonal, other measurements.
• Pulse-oximeter;
• Electrocardiogram;
• Respiratory metabolic unit for energy expenditure;
• Dual x-ray emission absorbtiometry for bone density and body compostion analysis;
• Retinography.
Parking is located directly behind the building for easy access to the clinical research unit.
The involvement of human subjects in research is not permitted until the research protocol has been approved by an Ethics Committee which oversees all trials conducted in the clinical research unit. The protocols are designed to ensure that trial subjects recieve nutritious, dietary balanced meals.
In summary, the RCCRU is organized so as to implement human clinical trials efficiently and effectively in order to assess safety, efficacy and potency, palatability and performance of bio-actives and formulated products.
Richardson Centre for Functional Foods & Nutraceuticals Equipment Usage Fees