Yaw (Chris) Siow

Research Scientist

My research supports the Vision and Mission of AAFC:

(1) Evidence-based agri-food: Elucidation of the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of extracts or compounds isolated from agri-food and herbal medicine, using cell culture and animal models; (2) Analyses of food and natural health products by chromatographic fingerprinting and bioassays; (3) Knowledge translation and promotion of science-based Agri-food and herbal medicine in prevention and treatment.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
CCARM, 351 Tache Avenue, Room R2010, Winnipeg, MB

Current research and/or projects

  • Defining new health attributes of Canadian lingonberry for domestic and emerging markets
  • Enhancing the sustainable development of lingonberry with health benefits in northern and Indigenous communities

Research and/or project statements

Lab’s mission: To develop innovative strategies for health maintenance and disease management through innovative value-added agri-food products.

Current Research Program at CCARM: Characterization and mapping the health attributes of native Canadian berries (wild and cultivated lingonberries, cultivated cranberries & blueberries, ginseng berries). This includes establishing fast and sensitive assays for determination of their antioxidant capacities and their effectiveness in protecting the different organs (heart & kidney) from oxidative stress-induced injuries, resulting from dysregulated cell signalling and an inflammatory response. Experiments utilized cutting edge instruments at CCARM to analyse samples obtained from established cell model system and laboratory rodents.

Professional activities / interests

  • Associate Editor, Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology

  • Grant Review and Journal Peer Reviews

  • Thesis Supervisory/Advisory Committee (PhD, MSc, BSc (Hons)) & Supervisor of summer/co-op students

  • Co-Chair, St.Boniface Hospital Research Centre Safety Committee and Biosafety Sub-Committee

Education and awards

Education & Training:

  • BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry (University of Regina)

  • PhD in Biochemistry (University of Manitoba)

  • Post-doctoral training (The Rockefeller University, NY) with Nobel laureate Paul Greengard

  • Post-doctoral training (University of British Columbia)

  • Research Assistant Professor (Department of Pharmacology & School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong)

  • Assistant Professor (Department of Physiology, University of Manitoba)

Awards

  • Outstanding Researcher Award, University of Hong Kong

  • University of Hong Kong Research Fellow Award

International experience and/or work

  • Conference Organizer

  • Symposium Organizer, Chair & Speaker

  • Keynote/Landmark/Plenary Speaker

Additional links

Chris@CCARM Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine

AAFC News: Lure of the Lingonberry

AAFC Weekly Science Story: Lingonberry from the North and Health Impacts

Winnipeg Free Press: Super-fruit even more super grown here

The Western Producer: (page 62:Growers wanted to test lingonberry hybrids)

Manitoba Co-operator: Wild or farmed? Lingonberries seek a place in Manitoba agriculture

AAFC News: Lingonberries: More good news for this rising star in the "super" food market

mySteinbach.ca

Winnipeg Free Press: Lingonberries prized but difficult to grow

AAFC Weekly Science Stories: Lingonberries may help kidneys heal

Key publications

  1. Karmin O, Connie W.H. Woo, Victoria Sid, Yaw L. Siow,
    Chapter 17 - Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and use of folate,
    Editor(s): Vinood B. Patel,
    Molecular Nutrition,
    Academic Press,
    2020,
    Pages 323-343,
    ISBN 9780128119075,
    https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-811907-5.00028-2.
    (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128119075000282)
    Abstract: Folate is an essential water-soluble B vitamin that is required for nucleic acid biosynthesis, methylation reaction, and sulfur-containing amino acid metabolism. Depletion of folate perturbs folate-dependent one-carbon metabolism and is associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is a common chronic liver disease and its prevalence increases significantly in patients with obesity and/or type 2 diabetes mellitus. As the incidence of obesity and diabetes continues to rise, NAFLD will emerge as a major threat to public health. Low serum folate levels are correlated with body mass index, severity of NAFLD, and diabetes. There is currently no approved pharmacological agent for NAFLD treatment. Nutrition-focused therapies represent a promising management strategy for metabolic diseases such as NAFLD. Understanding the role of folate in fatty liver disease may position this vitamin as a potential therapy for NAFLD.
    Keywords: Folate; folic acid; nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); liver; folate transporter; obesity; supplementation; sulfur-containing amino acid

    2019 - View publication details

  2. Siow, Y.L., Isaak, C.K., Madduma Hewage, S., Prashar, S., Debnath, S., and O, K. (2019) Renal protection by lingonberry supplementation. FASEB Science Research Conference: The Acute Kidney Injury Conference: From Bench to Bedside (and Back Again). July 21-25, 2019 Pacific Grove, CA, USA.

    2019 - View publication details

  3. Madduma Hewage, S., Prashar, S., O, K. and Siow, Y.L. (2019) Lingonberry supplementation improves hyperlipidemia induced by high-fat diet. CCARM Rapid-Fire Research Symposium 2, Winnipeg, March 29, 2019.

    2019 - View publication details

  4. Siow, Y.L. (2019) “Manitoba Lingonberry – Science News from the Prairies, Feb. 15, 2019; circulated by Prairie Region Directors: Dr. François Eudes (AB); Dr. Felicitas Katepa-Mupondwa, LLB (SK); and Dr. Esther Salvano (MB)”

    2019 - View publication details

  5. Siow, Y.L. and Debnath, S.C. (2018). "Lingonberry Juice May Help Kidneys Heal - Weekly Science Story, Sep 12, 2018; circulated by Dr. Brian Gray, Assistant Deputy Minister, STB and Dr. Gilles Saindon, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, STB, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada."

    2018 - View publication details

  6. Madduma Hewage, S., Sid, V., Prashar, S., Shang, Y., O, K. and Siow, Y.L. (2018) Impact of lingonberry supplementation on high-fat diet-induced metabolic syndrome and hyperlipidemia. XVIII International Symposium on Atherosclerosis, June 9-12, 2018. Atherosclerosis Suppl 32:65. P1.103. doi:10.1016/j.atherosclerosissup.2018.04.196

    2018 - View publication details

  7. Madduma Hewage, S., Sid, V., Prashar, S., Shang, Y., O, K. and Siow, Y.L. (2018) Manitoba lingonberry supplementation improves lipid profile in metabolic disorder. St. Boniface Albrechtsen Research Centre R30 Conference, Winnipeg, April 21, 2018

    2018 - View publication details

  8. Karmin O and Yaw L. Siow (2018) Metabolic imbalance of homocysteine and hydrogen sulfide in kidney disease. Current Medicinal Chemistry, Volume 25 Issue 3, pages 367-377.

    2018 - View publication details

  9. O K, Sid V, Shang Y, and Siow YL (2017) Fatty Liver: It is not just about fat - Nutritional impact on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). 2017 International Tropical Agriculture Conference. November 20-22, 2017 Brisbane, Australia, Abstract 176, Symposium Invited Talk.

    2017 - View publication details

  10. Siow Y.L., Isaak C.K., Prashar S., Stebbing J., Madduma Hewage S., Debnath S., and O K. (2017) Berries for your renal health. 2017 International Tropical Agriculture Conference. November 20-22, 2017 Brisbane, Australia, Abstract 179, Symposium Chair and Invited Talk.

    2017 - View publication details

  11. Sid V, Shang Y, Siow YL, and O K (2017) Dietary Regulation of inflammatory response in Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Canadian Cardiovascular Congress, October 21-24, Vancouver, Canada, Canadian Journal of Cardiology 33(10) Suppl: S27-28

    2017 - View publication details

  12. Isaak, C.K., Wang, P., Prashar, S., Karmin, O., Brown, D.C.W., Debnath, S.C., Siow, Y.L. (2017). Supplementing diet with Manitoba lingonberry juice reduces kidney ischemia-reperfusion injury, 97(9), 3065-3076. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.8200

    2017 - View publication details

  13. Sid V, Shang Y, Isaak CK, Siow YL and O K (2017) Regulation of hepatic inflammation by folic acid in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). 3rd Annual Northern Great Plains Lipids Conference, Winnipeg, June 3-4, 2017

    2017 - View publication details

  14. Shang, Y., Khafipour, E., Derakhshani, H., Sarna, L.K., Woo, C.W., Siow, Y.L., Karmin, O. (2017). Short Term High Fat Diet Induces Obesity-Enhancing Changes in Mouse Gut Microbiota That are Partially Reversed by Cessation of the High Fat Diet, 52(6), 499-511. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11745-017-4253-2

    2017 - View publication details

  15. Amarakoon SB, Jayaraman B, Siow YL, Prashar S, Shang Y, O K and Nyachoti M (2017) Effect of dietary supplementation of plant-based products on oxidative status of weanling piglets. 2017 Animal Nutrition Conference of Canada, May 10-11, 2017 Quebec City, Canada

    2017 - View publication details

  16. Grant, J., Ryland, D., Isaak, C.K., Prashar, S., Siow, Y.L., Taylor, C.G., Aliani, M. (2017). Effect of Vitamin D3 Fortification and Saskatoon Berry Syrup Addition on the Flavor Profile, Acceptability, and Antioxidant Properties of Rooibos Tea (Aspalathus linearis), 82(3), 807-817. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.13646

    2017 - View publication details

  17. Victoria Sid, Yaw L. Siow, and Karmin O (2017) Role of folate in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, In Press

    2017 - View publication details

  18. Isaak, C.K., Petkau, J.C., Blewett, H., Karmin, O., Siow, Y.L. (2017). Lingonberry anthocyanins protect cardiac cells from oxidative-stress-induced apoptosis, 95(8), 904-910. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjpp-2016-0667

    2017 - View publication details

  19. Debnath, S.C., McKenzie, B.D., Bishop, G.A., Dixon, P., Siow, Y.L. and Simms, D. (2016). “Production and improvement of small fruit crops native to Newfoundland and Labrador.”, Symposium Program Book, 3rd Biennial Symposium: Our Food, Our Future – Research that Feeds Newfoundland and Labrador, November 02-03, 2016, St. John’s, NL, Canada; p. 13 (http://www.ourfoodourfuture.ca/agenda).

    2016 - View publication details

  20. Wong, A., Isaak, C.K., Prashar, S., O, K., and Siow, Y.L. (2016) Correlations between common antioxidant assays. University of Manitoba Undergraduate Research Poster Competition, October 27, 2016 Winnipeg, Canada.

    2016 - View publication details

Contact

Research facility

Morden Research and Development Centre
Route 100, Unit 100-101
Morden, MB R6M 1Y5
Canada

Expertise

Agriculture›Bioactives
Health›Bioassay
Health›Mechanisms of Action
Health›Natural Products›Functional ingredients

Affiliations

  • Adjunct Professor, Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba

  • Founding Board Member, Canadian Institute of Chinese Medicinal Research

  • Member, American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

  • Lifetime Member, Society for Chinese Bioscientists in America

Language

English