Research

For long, lipids have been recognized for their structural and storage roles, and commonly associated to noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and obesity. Studies based on genetics, molecular biology and biochemistry have revealed the roles of these metabolites in diverse biological processes, including signaling, protein-lipid interactions and lipid-lipid interactions, which are critical for normal physiology and disease pathologies.

The goals of our research are to understand how the fine balance of lipid metabolism is maintained and how an individual's 'lipids makeup' relates to his/ her health status and predisposition to diseases. We are further intrigued by the variations of the lipid signatures between distinct life forms, and the role of foreign lipids from pathogens in pathogenesis of infectious diseases. We will elucidate how host and pathogen lipids influence disease and treatment outcomes. We hope to exploit these unique biochemical entities and pathways as potential drug targets and biomarkers. To achieve these, we develop novel analytical and informatics tools for lipidomics and integrate with other disciplines to provide a systems-based perspective to lipid functions in human health and diseases.