Research
Our laboratory’s primary focus is the prevention of metabolic syndrome through the use of nutraceuticals and the elucidation of their underlying pathophysiology.
A major effort of the lab is to understand the function of nutrient-sensing genes and how nutraceuticals rescue disease phenotypes, using mouse and rat models, cell lines, and clinical research.
-
01Natural Bioactives for Metabolic Disorders
Our laboratory investigates natural bioactive compounds as safe and sustainable interventions for metabolic disorders, including obesity, fatty liver disease, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. We focus on agents such as black bean anthocyanins, ginsenosides, rottlerin, betulinic acid, and ginkgolides. Employing in vitro, in vivo, and clinical models, we demonstrate their capacity to lower cholesterol, suppress adiposity, improve insulin sensitivity, and enhance immune and antioxidant defenses. We also examine synergistic effects of multi-herbal formulations that better reflect real-world dietary practices. Our overarching goal is to bridge traditional medicine with modern nutritional science, advancing functional foods and nutraceuticals for effective metabolic disease prevention and management.
-
02Regulation of Energy Metabolism and Mitochondria Dynamics
Our laboratory focuses on the regulation of energy metabolism and mitochondrial function as therapeutic targets for obesity and related metabolic disorders, as well as for improving physical performance. We investigate non-shivering thermogenesis, beige adipocyte induction, and mitochondrial dynamics, all of which promote energy expenditure and lipid oxidation. Natural compounds such as betulinic acid and rottlerin activate key regulators including UCP1, PGC-1α, and PRDM16, thereby driving thermogenic and mitochondrial pathways. By integrating molecular biology with omics-based profiling, we elucidate how bioactives reprogram cellular energy balance. Our mission is to establish mitochondria-centered strategies that not only restore metabolic health but also enhance physical function, providing sustainable solutions for long-term disease prevention and performance improvement.
-
03Nutrigenomics and Dietary Strategies with Biomarker Discovery
Our laboratory integrates nutrigenomics with innovative dietary strategies to uncover how nutrition regulates health at the molecular and systemic levels. Through transcriptomic, metabolomic, and epigenomic approaches, we identify key pathways and novel biomarkers shaped by specific diets and bioactive compounds. We investigate alternate-day fasting, which demonstrates superior effects over continuous calorie restriction in enhancing lipid metabolism, ketogenesis, and autophagy. We also evaluate functional foods such as multi-grain rice enriched with black beans and synergistic multi-herbal blends that yield significant metabolic benefits. Our aim is to translate these mechanistic insights and biomarkers into functional foods and personalized nutrition frameworks, positioning diet as a scientifically validated tool for chronic disease prevention.