Research

We aim to understand the role of botanicals and gut microbiota in the development and potential management of metabolic dysfunction in obesity, diabetes, physical fitness, and inflamed states.

Metabolic dysfunction is on the rise as a result of major changes in socioeconomic lifestyles, cultural practices, and the challenges posed by the modern agricultural systems. These shifts are reshaping global diets, creating a pressing need to understand and develop new functional ingredients that provide both affordable and nutritious options in support of optimal health outcomes.

By investigating how plant-derived ingredients and microbial communities that digest them influence metabolic pathways, we seek to uncover novel strategies for targeted dietary interventions that enhance overall metabolic resilience.

By leveraging advanced pharmacogenomics and microbiome profiling, we aim to identify individualized approaches to management, offering more precise and effective interventions.

Within this overarching theme, our research focuses on three major initiatives:

  • 1) Investigating the interactions between foods, botanicals, and the gut microbiome to identify bioactive metabolites that influence metabolic and immune pathways, and promote metabolic fitness;

  • 2) Conducting preclinical and early phase human studies in support of novel interventions or supplementation strategies, including analytical quantification of the target bioactive metabolites; and

  • 3) Mobile Discovery program to engage students and ethnic communities in biodiscovery from nature, and popularize global health research.

Among the many projects currently being pursued in our lab are the following:

Metabolic health and progression to obesity. Despite an obesogenic environment, some individuals exhibit obesity resistance, marked by efficient fat oxidation, enhanced mitochondrial function, and adaptive nutrient partitioning. Understanding the molecular and genetic drivers of this phenotype, and the potential modulatory role of small phenolic metabolites, can guide the development of targeted strategies for obesity prevention and treatment.

Gastrointestinal bitter receptors and blood glucose control. TAS2R receptors play an emerging role in the regulation of blood glucose by influencing hormone secretion, gastric motility, and nutrient absorption. Investigating how these receptors respond to dietary bitter compounds may reveal novel mechanisms for glycemic control and support the development of novel nutritional interventions for metabolic health.

Modern agricultural systems and human health outcomes. XXX

Mobile research platforms for discovery from nature (Mobile Discovery). XXX

 

Facilities

Our facilities consist of 3 functional units that offer a wide range of services to the research community, including cutting edge technologies, high end instrumentation, technical support, and education. Our lab personnel are highly trained experts in their field who provide technical expertise, consultation, and training. We are fully committed to enhancing and expanding the collaborative capabilities of research at NC State University, North Carolina Research Campus, and throughout the world.



  • Metabolic biology suite. The main lab is equipped with ABI Gene Amp 9700 PCR and 7500 Fast Real-Time PCR thermal cyclers, BioTek Synergy H1 microplate reader (absorbance, fluorescence, and luminescence), XF-24 Seahorse Extracellular Flux Analyzer, BD Accuri C6 Flow Cytometer, Sorvall RC6 Plus and Legend T Plus centrifuges, and multiple instruments for routine nucleic acid and protein analysis, including Western blot and ELISA.


  • Cell culture and phenotyping suite. The Biosafety Level 2 lab is equipped with a laminar-flow hood, CO2 incubator, Bellco Roll-In Incubator, Microscope Imaging System, Orflo Moxi automated cell counter, refrigerators (4 °C), freezers (-20 °C), ulta-low freezers (-80 °C), and a liquid nitrogen freezer (-190 °C) for long-term storage and cryopreservation.


  • Analytical chemistry and microbiology suite. This lab handles isolation and characterization of bacterial and fungal cultures from environmental and microbiome samples. It is equipped for extraction, quantification, and synthesis of natural products from fermentation and plant material to support discovery of novel pharmacological leads including a laminar-flow hood, isotemp incubators, New Brunswick Scientific Innova43 and I2500 shakers, Labconco Freezone18 bulk tray freeze drier, Buchi R210 rotavapor with Multivapor P12 parallel evaporator, Shimadzu Prominence LC-2030C HPLC, bench centrifuges, scales, hotplates, vortexes, and pH meters.


  • Additional resources. We also have unrestricted at-cost access to the AAALAC-accredited Center for Laboratory Animal Sciences (CLAS), full analytical capabilities of the DHMRI Institute, and the shared core facilities of the UNC Chapel Hill.