- Section Editor (Inflammation and Immunology), European Journal of Nutrition (Springer Link)
- Associate Editor, Food and Agricultural Immunology (Taylor and Francis)
Dr Restituto Tocmo
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+44 (0) 791 803 0955
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Lecturer in Food and Nutritional Sciences
Office
2-44Building location
Harry NurstenAreas of interest
Dr Tocmo’s research interests are summarised below:
- Diet and immunity; dietary modulation of immune response and gut microbiota composition/function in inflammatory bowel disease (with particular interest in immunoregulation in Crohn’s disease); current projects focus on protein hydrolysates from plant sources
- Redox signaling as influenced by gut microbiota-derived metabolites and bioactive dietary components; current projects focus on conjugated and nitro-conjugated fatty acids, plant proteins/peptides and their impact on redox-mediated M1-/M2-like macrophage polarisation or T cell differentiation
- Food bioactives and plant-derived natural products: Clarifying anti-oxidant/anti-inflammatory mechanisms and gut barrier function of dietary bioactives and natural products using cell culture (cell lines and primary cells); particular interest on Keap1-Nrf2/ARE-mediated antioxidant responses, crosstalk between Nrf2 and Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), and modulation of the NF-kB pathway.
Research techniques the lab uses:
- Flow cytometry (multi-colour surface marker and intracellular staining)
- Cellular/Molecular biology: SDS-PAGE, Western blot, ELISAs, confocal microscopy, immunoprecipitation, siRNAs, etc.
- Cell culture: human cell lines, primary cells, luciferase reporter assays
- Primary cell isolation: We are capable of isolating primary cells (naïve cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, CD4+ T cells) from animal tissues (or biological fluids) to carry out downstream functional assays
- 96-well plate-based redox bioassays (ROS measurement, redox species quantification)
- Natural product isolation, purification, and characterisation
- Analytical techniques: HPLC, mass spectrometry, semi-preparative isolations
- Animal studies
Dr Tocmo is open to PhD applications from candidates with a basic science background.
Funding notes: We welcome applications from self-funded students worldwide. If you are applying to an international funding scheme, we encourage you to get in contact ahead of the deadlines as we may be able to support you in your application.
Current funding sources:
- UK Department for Science Innovation and Technology
- British Council
- Royal Society
Teaching
- FB1FSC: Food System Challenges
Research centres and groups
- Food Microbial Science Unit
Academic qualifications
- PhD Food Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- MSc Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York State
- BSc Food Technology, University of the Philippines
Websites/blogs
For more information on Dr Tocmo's research activities, please visit the website.Selected publications
Ozcam, M, Oh, J-H, Tocmo, R, et al, Van Pijkeren. A secondary metabolite drives intraspecies antagonism in a gut symbiont that is inhibited by cell wall acetylation. Cell Host & Microbe, 2022, 30:824– 835.e6.
Vemu, B.; Tocmo, R.; et al., Johnson, J.J Pharmacokinetic characterization of carnosol from rosemary (Salvia Rosmarinus) in male C57BL/6 mice and inhibition profile in human cytochrome P450 enzymes. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 431 (2021) 115729.
Huang, Y., Tocmo, R., Nauman, M.C., Haughan, M., Johnson, J.J. Defining the cholesterol lowering mechanism of bergamot (Citrus bergamia) extract in HepG2 and Caco-2 cells. Nutrients, 2021, 13 (9), 3156.
Tocmo, R., Lee, B.Q., Heun, A., van Pijkeren, J.P., Parkin, K., Johnson, J.J. Prenylated xanthones from mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) activate the AhR and Nrf2 pathways and protect intestinal barrier integrity in HT-29 cells. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 2021, 163, 102–115.
Tocmo, R, Pena-Fronteras, J., Calumba, K.F., Mendoza, M. Johnson, J.J. (2020). Valorization of pomelo (Citrus grandis Osbeck) peel: A review of current utilization, phytochemistry, bioactivities and mechanisms of action. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 1-44.
Tocmo R, Veenstra JP, Huang Y, Johnson JJ. Covalent modification of proteins by plant-derived natural products: proteomic approaches and biological impacts. Proteomics (Weinheim). (2020). 21:e1900386.
Tocmo, R, Parkin K. S-1-propenylmercaptocysteine protects murine hepatocytes against oxidative stress via persulfidation of Keap1 and activation of Nrf2. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 2019, 143:164-75.
Özçam, M., Tocmo, R., Oh, J.-H., Afrazi, A., Mezrich, J.D., Roos, S., Claesen, J., & van Pijkeren, J. P. The gut symbionts Lactobacillus reuteri R2lc and 2010 encode a polyketide synthase cluster that activates the mammalian aryl-hydrocarbon receptor. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2018, 85(10), e01661-18.
Tocmo, R, Parkin, K. (2018). S-Alk(en)ylmercaptocysteine suppresses LPS-induced proinflammatory responses in murine macrophages through inhibition of NF-κB pathway and modulation of thiol redox status. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 2018, 129:548-58.
Tocmo, R., Liang, D., Wang, C., Poh, J., & Huang, D. (2016). Organosulfide profile and hydrogen sulfide-releasing capacity of stinky bean (Parkia speciosa) oil: Effects of pH and extraction methods. Food Chemistry, 190, 1123-1129.
Tocmo, R., Liang, D., Lin, Y., & Huang, D. (2015). Chemical and biochemical mechanisms underlying the cardioprotective roles of dietary organopolysulfides. Frontiers in Nutrition, 2(1).
Tocmo, R., Lin, Y., & Huang, D. (2014). Effect of processing conditions on the organosulfides of shallot (Allium cepa L. Aggregatum Group). Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 62(23), 5296-5304.
External activities