Research output per year
Research output per year
Research activity per year
The gut microbiota is an important factor in human health and physiology. The major factor regulating the microbiota composition and activity is our diet, which consists of multiple macro and micro-nutrients such as amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates etc. Our lab studies how the diet interacts with bacteria in the gut to produce metabolites and effectors that affect the host immune system, metabolism and organ function. Specifically, we are interested in the molecular mechanisms the governs the effects of dietary sulfur amino acids on host diseases such as chronic kidney disease and colorectal cancer.
Previously, we showed that dietary sulfur amino acids (methionine and cysteine) correlate with the concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in the colon, and in-turn H2S induces a post-translational modification termed S-sulfhydration on reactive cysteine residues. We found that feeding a mouse chronic kidney disease model with high sulfur amino acids diet resulted in higher S-sulfhydration of the bacterial enzyme tryptophanase that produces the uremic toxin indoxyl sulfate. S-sulfhydration of tryptophanase resulted in its inhibition and alleviation of kidney disease in these mice, compared to diet low in sulfur amino acids.
Research focus:
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
PhD
Oct 2009 → Apr 2016
Award Date: 1 Apr 2016
Bachelor
Oct 2006 → Oct 2009
Award Date: 1 Oct 2009
Bachelor
Oct 2006 → Jun 2009
Award Date: 30 Jun 2009
Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review