Nutrients( Fe, Zn, Mn, glucose and Phosphate) homeostasis in health and disease
Iron: Understanding the molecular mechanisms and machinery involved in regulation of iron absorption at cellular and systemic levels. In particular genes and proteins involved in intestinal, placental, hepatic, musco/skeletal, vascular and neuronal iron homeostasis. This has an important bearing on hereditary hemochromatosis, thalassemia, secondary iron overload, iron deficiency anaemia, inflammation, infection, neurodegeneration, early development, obesity and Healthy ageing.
Zinc iron and Manganese: The main theme of my current research in these metals is trafficking and function of ion transport proteins and their role in health and disease. Specifically we are interested in the cellular role and trafficking of members of the SLC39A family of iron, zinc and manganese transporters.,mutations in which have been shown to cause neurological diseases. We use mammalian tissue culture cells as model systems to study these mechanisms.
Glucose /Phosphate: Mechanism of glucose and phosphate transport across the intestine and the renal epithelia in relation to diabetes and chronic renal failure. Disease models are being used to unravel the mechanisms involved in the regulation of these essential nutrients.