The Department of Biological Chemistry welcomes Cholsoon Jang, a new assistant professor.

Research:

Diet is one of most important factors that determine our health. My lab studies 1) how the metabolism of dietary nutrients happen in our body, not only by our organs but also by gut microbiota, and 2) how its failure triggers human disease. We focus on clinically relevant, disease-associated nutrients such as alcohol, fructose, and branched-chain amino acids in the context of metabolic diseases (obesity, diabetes, fatty liver) and cancers. To quantitatively determine the metabolic fates of nutrients and organ destinations of their metabolic products, we use liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based metabolomics, lipidomics, and stable isotope tracing in disease animal models and human patients. This comprehensive approach leads us to identify pathogenic metabolites and their molecular mechanisms. Our studies will provide public dietary guidance on safe nutrient consumption and improved preventive and therapeutic strategies. Our technical expertise and knowledge in mass spectrometry, metabolic flux analysis, analytical chemistry, and pathophysiology are the foundation to achieve these goals.