2006 Annual Report 4d.Progress report. This report serves to document research conducted under a Specific Cooperative Agreement between the Agricultural Research Service and Medstar Research Institute. Additional details of research can be found in the reports for the following projects: 1235-51000-046-00D, "Bioavailability and metabolism of phytochemicals and micronutrients;" 1235-51000-050-00D, "Beneficial health effects of consumption of barley and barley components by humans;" 1235-51530-007-00D, "Influence of physical activity on long-term voluntary food intake and maintenance of a healthy weight;" and 1235-51530-008-00D, "Dietary modulation of markers of inflammation and oxidation as risk factors of chronic, degenerative diseases." This agreement serves to combine the expertise of ARS in conducting nutrition studies with those of Medstar Research Institute in protecting human subjects and the medical aspects of nutrition research. Several grant applications have been developed and submitted in collaboration with ARS and Medstar collaborators. In addition, ARS and Medstar scientists have several new research projects under development. Intervention studies are critical to all of the research projects conducted in the Diet and Human Performance Laboratory, and this agreement provides the support to conduct these studies in a timely manner. This agreement provides the Laboratory with medical and clinical expertise. Moreover, as the population becomes more overweight and less healthy, through this cooperation the Laboratory will have access to a more diverse population for recruitment of volunteers for new studies.