Resveratrol Researcher Falsified Data

STORRS, Conn.A special review board at the University of Connecticut found a resveratrol researcher falsified data in a number of studies on the grape and red wine ingredient. The board reported 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 three-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 (a summary can be viewed here), concluded Das is guilty of 145 counts of fabrication and falsification of data. Inquiries are currently underway involving former members of Dass lab; no findings have been issued to date, according to the university.

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

The journals notified were:

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 should does not mean all resveratrol studies are nullified. Das was just one of many researchers studying resveratrol. For instance, in November 2011, a number of other researchers found it can mimic calorie restriction for metabolic health, and in August 2011, University of Florida researchers reported a meta analysis showed anti-aging benefits.