Resveratrol Researcher Accused of Fabricating Data

STORRS, Conn.It is a sad day for resveratrol, as a special review board at the University of Connecticut has determined a researcher falsified data in a number of studies on the grape and red wine ingredient. The board found Dipak K. Das, Ph.D., who directed the university's Cardiovascular Research Center, committed more than 100 acts of data fabrication and falsification. Mostly, the board found he combined separate data set together without notification or explanation.

The university notified 11 scientific journals that published studies conducted by Das were at the center of a 3-year investigation process that examined more than seven years of activity. The investigation was sparked by an anonymous allegation of research irregularities in 2008.

The comprehensive report, which totals approximately 60,000 pages, concluded Das is guilty of 145 counts of fabrication and falsification of data. Inquiries are underway involving former members of Dass lab; however, no findings have been issued to date.

As a result of the investigation, the university halted all externally funded research in Dass laboratory and declined to accept $890,000 in federal grants awarded to him. Dismissal proceedings currently are underway.

The journals notified were:

American Journal of Physiology Heart & Circulatory

Antioxidants & Redox Signaling

Cellular Physiology & Biochemistry

Free Radical Biology

Free Radical Research

Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry

Journal of Cellular & Molecular Medicine

Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry

Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics

Molecular & Cellular Cardiology

Molecular & Cellular Chemistry

We have a responsibility to correct the scientific record and inform peer researchers across the country," said Philip Austin, interim vice president for health affairs.

While this corruption of data certainly questions the validity of Das' studies, it does not mean all resveratrol studies are nullified.