Project Background
The Velayutham laboratory's research focuses on the role of diet-derived microbial metabolites in cardiovascular health. Diet is a crucial factor in shaping the gut microbiome, and microbes help to metabolize nutritional components, indicating a two-way relationship exists between dietary components and gut microbes. Gut microbes interact with the host by producing beneficial or harmful diet-derived microbial metabolites, which play a fundamental role in host physiology and pathophysiology. Velayutham lab focuses on the causal relationship between dietary components, gut microbes, diet-derived metabolites, and cardiovascular health. Human studies support the cardiovascular benefits of dietary berries. Bioactive phytochemicals are extensively metabolized by the gut microbes in humans, suggesting the vascular benefits of dietary berries might be mediated by their microbial metabolites. Velayutham lab showed that dietary blueberries/strawberries prevent vascular complications and increase the beneficial bacteria and the role of blueberry metabolites in mediating these vascular benefits. Dietary blueberries also reduced the detrimental diet-derived microbial metabolite trimethylamine O-oxide (TMAO), whereas strawberries reduced high-risk ceramides in preclinical models. Both TMAO and ceramides are associated with several metabolic complications, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer. Current research in Velayutham lab is focused on determining the mechanisms by which berry-derived metabolites reduce trimethylamine O-oxide and ceramides. This study will provide potential nutritional strategies to prevent cardiovascular complications by modulating gut microbes.
Student Role
- Developing competence in conducting research: The student will be involved in a study identifying the role of gut microbes and diet-derived microbial metabolites on cardiovascular health. Specifically, they will be involved in the following: (i) Animal study: Measuring blood glucose, blood lipids and blood pressure; assessing vascular inflammation; and measuring inflammatory markers. (ii) Cell culture study: Culturing human aortic endothelial cells, treating the endothelial cells with diet-derived metabolites, and assessing protein/mRNA expressions of biomarkers. (iii) Understanding the gut microbiome profiling. (iv) Elucidating the mechanistic role of microbial metabolites.
- Analyzing Data: The student will assist in analyzing data and quantifying results using SPSS software (specifically t-test and ANOVA).
- Developing additional skills in writing scientific manuscripts, preparing the application for competitive research scholarships, presenting the research data in scientific meetings, and submitting applications for undergrad small grants.
Student Learning Outcomes and Benefits
The students will gain invaluable experiences during this training that significantly enhance their future prospects. Gut microbes and diet-derived metabolites in cardiovascular health are exciting and active fields of study. By engaging in this cutting-edge research, they develop critical skills in scientific inquiry, data analysis, and problem-solving, which are essential for success in any field, particularly medicine and the sciences. The undergrads from my lab are co-authors in research manuscripts and received research scholarships recognizing their hard work and bolstering their applications for medical school and other advanced degree programs. This hands-on experience sets them apart as they navigate the competitive admissions process. My undergraduate students have received travel awards and presented their research at national conferences, where they have had the opportunity to deliver oral presentations. These experiences help them refine their presentation skills and expand their professional networks. My lab has consistently encouraged talent, as evidenced by three students earning outstanding undergraduate awards that acknowledge their accomplishments. Through mentorship and collaboration on innovative projects, we prepare our students for academic success and long-term careers in healthcare and research. Their comprehensive training in my lab instills confidence and a passion for inquiry. Ultimately, the skills and experiences gained during this training will be a robust foundation for their continued education and professional development.
Anandh Babu Pon Velayutham
I believe one of the best equalities as a mentor is to create an environment that motivates the mentee to learn and provides a place where the mentee can immerse themselves in the research project. The environment should also build confidence in the mentee so that they can better express themselves regardless of their level of mastery. I believe enthusiasm and constant encouragement will create such an environment. My central goal is to empower the mentee in their education by providing exciting research opportunities. In my research, I aim to evoke excitement of discovery and achievement.
As my teaching load is minimal, I devote the necessary time to training and directing individual members of the laboratory. I have no teaching obligation in summer and I am free to devote 100% effort for research projects and mentoring in summer. I interact with the individual on a daily basis to review data, address research questions, and design future experiments. This is complemented with a weekly two-hour interdepartmental lab meeting, where a student makes a formal presentation of his/her current or proposed work, which fosters critical thinking and interaction between lab members and develops their communication skills.