Dr. Keen's research group has three main areas of focus. The first concerns the influence of diet on embryonic and fetal development. A significant proportion of birth defects are the consequence of embryonic and fetal malnutrition. A thesis in the laboratory is that the correction of suboptimal nutritional deficiencies during early development should result in a marked reduction in pregnancy complications. A second research theme in the group is the study of gene-nutrient interactions, with an emphasis on how subtle changes in cell mineral concentrations influence the expression of select genes. The third major research theme in the group is the study of how diet influences oxidant defense systems and cellular oxidative damage. Much of this work is centered on the identification of dietary factors that can reduce the onset and progression of vascular disease.