PKU

In a well-known quirk of tumor metabolism, cancer cells switch to a less efficient mode of energy production that churns out lactate as a waste product, says co-author Xinli Hu, a molecular biologist at PKU.

People with PKU cannot break down phenylalanine, an amino acid found in protein foods.

These are people with an inherited disease called phenylketonuria or PKU, who are born unable to metabolise the phenylalanine that is released as aspartame is broken down.

At Children’s Hospital, Richard Koch devoted most of his career to developmental disabilities, especially the early detection and prevention of phenylketonuria, commonly called PKU.

Amino acid-modified formula remains crucial into adulthood, particularly for anyone considering becoming pregnant, when uncontrolled PKU can wreak havoc with a baby’s development.