Research Area 2: Biochemical Networks and Biomarkers

The Goal of Biochemical Networks and Biomarkers

(BNB) research is to gain a better understanding of the molecular networks that underpin disease, potentially triangulating nodes in these networks for treatment or intervention. 

BNB has recently generated new lipid and polar metabolite libraries to provide confident identification of over 500 compounds from plasma, urine, tissues, and cell lines.  These libraries compliment the burgeoning untargeted metabolomics program in Bio5 that revolves around a state-of-the-art Thermo Vanquish Duo UPLC tandem Exploris 480 Q-Orbi Mass Spectrometer.  Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) metabolomics data can be further enhanced through a statistical pipeline (developed at the Center for Precision Nutrition and Wellness) that provides pathway enrichment and network analysis to pinpoint nodes of regulation.  Specialty Lipidomics pipelines have also been developed to identify alterations in lipid classes, hydrocarbon chain lengths, and degrees of saturation during experimental interventions.   Significantly altered molecular features identified during untargeted metabolomics are then developed into quantitative assays (utilizing LC/MS/MS and analytical standards), with the potential for clinical application.  Currently, BNB has validated methods for the quantitative analysis of over 20 separate lipid Classes, as well as a GC-FID method for the analysis of total fatty acid content of plasma.  Research has also been driven towards the analysis of exosomes and the center recently attained instrumentation for the analysis and purification of exosomes. The BioRad Bio-Plex 200 system is multiplex plate reader that will allow the center to quantify and analyze up to 48 analytes on a single plate. Taken together, these cutting-edge instrumentation and statistical tools drive research that will directly effect health of the surrounding community.
snider
Ashley Snider, PhD.

Center Associate Director

Professor | School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness

 

The three main projects in my lab examine:

  1. Effects of dietary fatty acids on sphingolipid metabolism in ER stress and inflammation.  
  2. Roles of dietary fatty acids and sphingolipids in animal models of inflammation and colitis-associated   cancer.
  3. Roles for sphingolipids and their metabolizing enzymes in intestinal biology and pathobiology. 

520-621-8093
ashleysnider@email.arizona.edu
 

snider, J
Justin Snider, PhD.

Research Area Lead - Biochemical Networks and Biomarkers

Shared Resource Co-Director, Analytical Chemistry, Cancer Center

Currently he is involved in biomarker assay development in prostate and colon cancers, employing untargeted metabolomics techniques to identify critically important metabolites in the progression of these diseases, and then developing quantitative assays for their analysis.

520-621-8061
justinsnider@arizona.edu

Limesand updated
Kirsten Limesand, PhD.

Professor, School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness

Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of the Graduate College at University of Arizona

Current Project Areas:

  1. Radiation-induced apoptosis
  2. Mechanisms of preserving salivary gland function
  3. Identifying the radiosensitivity of salivary gland progenitor cells
  4. Restoration of salivary gland function
  5. Role of autophagy in radiation-induced loss of function

limesank@arizona.edu

Chilton
Floyd "Ski" Chilton, PhD.

Center Director
Research Area Lead - Gene-environment interactions and health disparities

Professor, School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness

Dr. Chilton’s work examines how genetic and epigenetic variations interact with human diets (especially the modern Western diet) to drive inflammation and inflammatory disorders (including cardiovascular disease and cancer), as well as psychiatric/developmental disorders (ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and depression). 

520-621-5327
fchilton@email.arizona.edu