Translational Sciences

A major interest of ours is applying metabolomics in biomarker discovery and systems biology research. We have found significant metabolite signatures associated with nutrition and obesity among Mexican Americans, which can eventually reduce health disparities. We have identified promising metabolite biomarker candidates in liver, colon, esophageal, ovarian, and breast cancers. Currently, we are validating these metabolites and models using additional samples obtained from other collection sites.

a) J. Zhu, D. Djukovic, L. Deng, H. Gu, F. Himmati, E. Chiorean, D. Raftery*, “Colorectal Cancer Detection Using Targeted Serum Metabolic Profiling”, J. Proteome Res., 13, 4120-4130, 2014. PMID: 25126899

b) H. Zhao, J. Shen, D. Djukovic, C. Daniel-MacDougall, H. Gu, X. Wu, W. H. Chow, “Metabolomics-identified metabolites associated with body mass index and prospective weight gain among Mexican American women”, Obes. Sci. & Pract., 2, 309-317, 2016. PMCID: PMC5043515

c) M. Buas, H. Gu, D. Djukovic, J. Zhu, L. Onstad, B. Reid, D. Raftery*, T. Vaughan*, “Candidate serum metabolite biomarkers for differentiating gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett's esophagus, and high-grade dysplasia/esophageal adenocarcinoma”, Metabolomics, 13, 23, 2017. PMCID: PMC5295138

d) D. Wang, X. Sun, J. Yan, B. Ren, B. Cao, Q. Lu, Y. Liu, J. Zeng, N. Huang, Q. Xie, H. Gu*, J. Wang*, “Alterations of eicosanoids and related mediators in patients with schizophrenia”, J Psychiatr. Res., 102:168-178, 2018. PMID: 29674269