Neurobiology of Nutrition Laboratory

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Research Interests

Dr. Shin's lab is interested in how the brain controls metabolism and nutrient partitioning as well as the long-term regulation of body weight and appetite. The main research project aims to understand the role of insulin action in the brain in regulating branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism and how this central control can contribute to glucose homeostasis by using molecular, pharmacological, transgenic, surgical, and integrative physiological approaches.

Other ongoing research projects:

• Association between Type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease
• Effects of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery on appetite, hedonics, and reward control and the underlying mechanisms
• Understanding how nicotine affects blood glucose

Current Funding

• Cross-Disciplinary Research Excellence Award, TTU

  • Transcranial ultrasound neuromodulation for obesity treatment, Apr 2024 – April 2025

  • (PI: Andrew C. Shin; Co-PI: Jingfei Liu) 

• Alzheimer's Association Research Grant (AARG)                                        

  • A BCAA-lowering compound as a novel approach to delay the onset of AD, Sep 2023 – Sep 2026

  • (PI: Andrew C. Shin)

• College of Human Sciences, TTU

  • The role of BCAAs in food reward, April 2024 – April 2025

  • (PI: Andrew C. Shin)

• College of Human Sciences, TTU

  • Semaglutide impact assessment: Exploring health and wellness outcomes, Mar 2024 – Mar 2025

  • (PIs: Melissa Chernoff; Andrew C. Shin; Allison Childress; Shannon Galyean)

• College of Human Sciences, TTU

  • Effects of BT2 on AD-related pathology in the brain, April 2022 – April 2023

     

  • (PI: Andrew C. Shin)

• College of Human Sciences, TTU

  • The role of synbiotics in metabolic health and muscle tone in elder people, Oct 2022 – August 2023

     

  • (PI: Andrew C. Shin)

• College of Human Sciences, TTU

  • Brain-adipose communication following chronic alcohol consumption, Jan 2023 – August 2023

     

  • (PIs: Andrew C. Shin; Heejin Jun)

• NIH R01 1R01AG073826-01A1
  • The hippocampal dentate gyrus in aging and Alzheimer's disease: boosting transcription of retinoic acid-sensitive genes through vitamin A supplementation and HDAC inhibition, Aug 2022 – Apr 2027
  • (PI: John J. Lawrence; Co-I: Andrew C. Shin)

• NIH R01 AG071560-01A1

  • Serotonin-modulated mitochondrial dysfunction in dementia, depression and diabetes, Feb 2022 – Jan 2027

  • (PI: Arubala Reddy; Co-I: Andrew C. Shin)

• NIH R21 AG069140-01
  • BCAAs as a novel biomarker and treatment for Alzheimer's disease, Sep 2020 – Aug 2022

• Scientific & Technological Research Council of Turkey
  • The effects of central and systemic irisin on glucose homeostasis in diet-induced obese mice, Nov 2020 – Oct 2022

• Wylie Briscoe Fund, College of Human Sciences, TTU

  • Serum metabolomics in women with Alzheimer's disease, Dec 2021 – Dec 2022

    (PI: Andrew C. Shin)