The primary goal of the Natarajan Lab is to elucidate the cytoprotective roles of dietary nutrients in combating against placental complications that can occur during pregnancy such as acute fatty liver of pregnancy, Zika virus infection, and maternal obesity.
Cytoprotection is a process by which chemical compounds provide protection to cells against harmful agents. Through our research, we have identified palmitoleate, an omega-7 monosaturated fatty acid as a cytoprotective nutrient. Foods such as macadamia nuts contain high levels of palmitoleate which can be used as a potential dietary therapy against placental complications as well as a preventative measure against the adverse consequence of placental damage to unborn babies.
Our long-term goals:
- Develop a nutraceutical approach to mitigate liver and placental lipotoxicity that occurs during acute fatty liver of pregnancy and maternal obesity, respectively
- Elucidating the protective role of dietary-palmitoleate supplementation in preventing against Zika virus-induced placenta and fetal brain infection
Natarajan Lab Members
Former Natarajan Lab Members
Swetha Ashokkumar
Undergraduate Exchange Student
from the University of Iowa, 2021
With the Natarajan Lab:
Swetha worked during the summer of 2021 and was funded through Summer Redox Biology Center REU program fellow.
She focused on the investigation of interferon alpha signaling in Zika virus-induced placental trophoblasts. The preliminary data she generated, in collaboration with Dr. Murali Ganesan from UNMC, was instrumental in obtaining seed grant funding from the NU collaborative initiative
Currently with the NIH-Postbaccalaureate program at John Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD
Taylor Bruett
Undergraduate Student Research, 2016
Lab Technician, 2019-2020
With the Natarajan Lab:
Taylor successfully obtained funding from UCARE for her work on 3-hydroxy fatty acid-induced trophoblast lipoapoptosis at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
2018 University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate with a BS in Biological Sciences and a minor in Fisheries and Wildlife
Currently working as a lab manager with Dr. Zimmerman's lab at the University of Nebraska Medical Center
Tony Delaney
Research Technologist, 2021-2024
With the Natarajan Lab:
Tony's work focused on elucidating the protective role of macadamia oil supplemented diet (high palmitoleate diet) against Zika virus infection-induced complications using humanized STAT2 KI mice
He played a vital role in assisting multiple lab members with their projects to help them achieve their goals
Now working as a Research Project Manager I with the UNL Office of Research and Innovation
Mona Hadidi
Graduate Student, 2017-2019
With the Natarajan Lab:
Mona researched the damaging role of 3-hydroxy fatty acids on retinal pigment epithelial cells
2019 University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate with an MS in Nutrition
Taija Hahka
Graduate Student, 2021-2025
With the Natarajan Lab:
Taija's work centered on elucidating the antioxidant role of Resolvin D2, a pro-solving mediator against tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced reactive oxygen species
She was also involved analyzing transcriptomics of human placenta from pregnant mothers with normotensive, gestational hypertensive and preeclampsia
Taija is now an instructor with Dakota College at Bottineau
Kathryn Hammer
Lab Technician, 2022-2023
Temporary Worker, 2022-Present
With the Natarajan Lab:
Kathryn studied elucidating the novel function of long chain hydroxy acyl CoA dehydrogenase in the synthesis of cardiolipin in trophoblasts and cardiomyocytes
2022 University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate with a BS in Nutrition and Health Sciences
Accepted to the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Class of 2028
Taylor Heng
Undergraduate Student, 2021
2017 University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate with a BS in Veterinary Science
Completed the Nebraska-Iowa Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine in 2021 via a joint program with University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Iowa State University
Taylor is now a veterinarian with the Columbus Small Animal Hospital in Columbus, NE
Madison Kraus
Undergraduate Student, 2018-2019 & 2019-2020
With the Natarajan Lab:
Madison investigated Zika virus-induced apoptosis in retinal pigment epithelial cells
Awards:
Undergraduate Creative Education and Research Experience (UCARE) from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2018-2019 & 2019-2020
Milton Mohr Scholarship from the Center for Biotechnology from IANR at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2018
Received the Gates Center Summer internship to the University of Colorado Anschultz Medical Campus, 2019
2020 University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate with a BS in Nutrition and Health Sciences
Currently working as Project Manager at the Cardiovascular Research Foundation in New York City, NY
Xingzhi (Alan) Li
Graduate Student, 2021-2025
With the Natarajan Lab:
Alan studied Dietary Intervention in Aging and Obesity under the supervision of Dr. Natarajan and Dr. Jiujiu Yu
2025 University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate with a PhD in Nutrition
Alan is now a postdoc in the College of Food Science and Engineering at Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University
Philma Glora Muthuraj
Graduate Student, 2017-2021
Received a travel grant to attend the Gilbert Greenwald Symposium the Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City, KS, 2017 and 2018
Selected to give an oral presentation to the Gilbert Greenwald Symposium at the Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City, KS, October 2018
2021 University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate with a PhD in Nutrition
Joined Veterinary Microbiology Residency Program at the University of Missouri-Columbia, August 2021-2024
Kyung Ho Park
Undergraduate Student, 2018-2020
With the Natarajan Lab:
Kyung examined the metabolic benefits of plant-based n-3 poly unsaturated fatty acids on brown adipocyte thermogenesis
2020 University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate with an MS in Nutrition
Jillian Power
Undergraduate Student Research, 2019-2020
With the Natarajan Lab:
Jillian's work centered on the apoptotic function of Forkhead family of transcription factor, FoxO3 in saturated free fatty acid-induced placental trophoblast damage during maternal obesity
Awards:
UCARE Assistantship from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2018-2019 academic year
ARD Undergraduate Scholarship Award from IANR at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2019-2020
2021 University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate with a BS in Microbiology
Ellie Rautio
2019-August 2022
2022 University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate with an MS in Nutrition Sciences
Currently completing dietetic internship with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN
Prakash Kumar Sahoo
Graduate Student, 2019-2024
Awards:
2018 Best Poster winner for his research on 3-hydroxy fatty acids induce placental trophoblast necroptosis at the Gilbert Greenwald Symposium, held at Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City, KS
2018 Best Poster winner at the NPOD Symposium
2023 University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate with a PhD in Nutrition
Prakash stayed on with the Natarajan Lab as a postdoc until January 2024
Currently a postdoctoral fellow with the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, IN
Mwiza Aline Uwashimimana
Undergraduate Exchange Student
from Rwanda, 2020-2021
With the Natarajan Lab:
Mwiza examined the role of cellular stress pathway in response to accumulation of 3-hydroxy fatty acids in placental trophoblasts
Received the ARD Undergraduate Scholarship Award from IANR at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
2022 University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate with a BS in Integrated Science
Now pursuing PhD in the Department of Public Health at Purdue University
Jenna Whitmore
Undergraduate Student Researcher from
Nebraska Wesleyan University with INBRE
Scholarship from UNMC, 2020-2021
With the Natarajan Lab:
Jenna's work focused on the protective role of n-3 fatty acids against particulate matter-induced inflammation in placental trophoblasts
Completed Dietitian Board certification
2022 University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate with an MS in Professional Studies in Dietetics
Currently working as a research dietitian at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln, NE
Yihang Zhao
Visiting Undergraduate Student from
Northwest Agriculture and Forestry
University (China) Scholars, Yangling, China
Summer 2017
With the Natarajan Lab:
Yihang contributed to elucidating the protective role of Betaine protection against palmitate-induced trophoblast lipoapoptosis
In the News
Learn more about each story by following the links below:
- CEHS Interim Dean Nick Pace visits with Associate Professor Sathish Natarajan's lab in University of Nebraska Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences and hears from the four graduate students about the projects they are working on studying how diet and nutrition can help prevent maternal fetal complications
- Project studying impacts of dietary macadamia nuts on prevention of maternal obesity-induced complications
- Faculty, team excellence recognized during 2023 IANR Distinguished Faculty Celebration
- Study links omega fatty acids with infant growth
- Nutrient compound shows promise for halting mother-to-fetus Zika transmission
- Blog tech roundup, April-23-2021
Publications
2024
Bioactive metabolites of OMEGA-6 and OMEGA-3 fatty acids are associated with inflammatory cytokine concentrations in maternal and infant plasma at the time of delivery. Slotkowski R, VanOrmer M, Akbar A, Hahka T, Thompson M, Rapoza R, Ulu A, Thoene M, Lyden E, Mukherjee M, Yuil-Valdes A, Natarajan SK, Nordgren T, Hanson C, Berry AA. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2024 Apr; 60:223-233. doi: 10.1013/j.clnesp.2024.02.006 Epub Feb 7. PMID 38479914. Free article.
The impact of iron supplementation on the preterm neonatal gut microbiome: A pilot study. Van Ormer M, Thompson M, Thoene M, Riethoven JJ, Natarajan SK, Hanson C, Anderson-Berry A. PLoS One. 2024 Feb 21;19(2):e0297558. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297558. eCollection 2024. PMID: 38381745 Free PMC article.
Palmitate induces integrated stress response and lipoapoptosis in trophoblasts. Sahoo PK, Krishnamoorthy C, Wood JR, Hanson C, Anderson-Berry A, Mott JL, Natarajan SK. Cell Death Dis. 2024 Jan 11;151(1):31. doi: 10.1038/s41419-023-06415-6. PMID: 38212315. Free PMC article.
2023
Effects of High-intensity, Eccentric-only Muscle Actions on Serum Biomarkers of Collagen Degradation and Synthesis. Neltner TJ, Sahoo PK, Smith RW, Anders JP, Arnett JE, Ortega DG, Schmidt RJ, Johnson GO, Natarajan SK, Housh TJ. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 37(9):p: 1729-1737, September 2023. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004457.
Something smells fishy: How lipid mediators impact neonatal development and the meternal-fetal interface. Thompson M, Ulu A, Yuil-Valdes AG, Mukherjee M, Thoene M, VanOrmer M, Slotkowski R, Lyden E, Anderson-Berry A, Hanson CK, Nordgren TM, Natarajan SK*. Biomedicines 2023; 10;11(1):171. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines11010171. PMID: 36672679.
2022
Novel Therapeutic Nutrients Molecules That Protect Against Zika Virus Infection with a Special Note on Palmitoleate. Muthuraj PG, Krishnamoorthy C, Anderson-Berry A, Hanson C, Natarajan SK. Nutrients. 2022 Dec 27;15(1):124. doi: 10.3390/nu15010124. PMID: 36615782. Free PMC Article. Review.
Effects of 8 Weeks of Shilajit Supplementation on Serum Pro-c1α1, a Biomarker of Type 1 Collagen Synthesis: A Randomized Control Trial. Neltner TJ, Sahoo PK, Smith RW, Anders JPV, Arnett JE, Schmidt RJ, Johnson GO, Natarajan SK, Housh TJ. J Diet Suppl. 2022 Dec 22:1-12. doi: 10.1080/19390211.2022.2157522. PMID: 36546868.
Arsenic Toxicity on Metabolism and Autophagy in Adipose and Muscle Tissues. Seung-Hyun Ro, Jiyoung Bae, Yura Jang, Jacob F. Myers, Soonkyu Chung, Jiujiu Yu, Sathish Kumar Natarajan, Rodrigo Franco, Hyun-Seob Song. Antioxidants 2022; 11(4):689. doi: 10.3390/antiox11040689. PMID: 35453374. Review.
Omega-6 and Omega-3 Fatty Acid-Derived Oxylipins from the Lipoxygenase Pathway in Maternal and Umbilical Cord Plasma at Delivery and their Relationship with Infant Growth. Thompson M, Ulu A, Yuil-Valdes AG, Mukherjee M, Thoene M, Van Ormer M, Slotkowski R, Lyden E, Anderson Berry A, Hanson CK, Nordgren TM, Natarajan SK. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Jan 9;23(2):708. doi: 10.3390/ijms23020708. PMID: 35054892. Free PMC article.
Trophoblast Changes in Maternal Obesity. Sahoo PK, Natarajan SK. Diabesity. 2022 (Review) 8 (1); 19-22
2021
Palmitoleate Protects against Zika virus-induced Placental Trophoblast Apoptosis. Muthuraj PG, Pattnaik A, Sahoo PK, Islam MT, Pattnaik AK, Byrareddy SN, Hanson C, Anderson Berry A, Kachman SD, Natarajan SK. Biomedicines. 2021 June 4;9(6). doi: 10.3390/biomedicines9060643. PMID: 34200091. PMCID: PMC8226770.
Saturated free fatty acids induce placental trophoblast lipoapoptosis. Natarajan SK, Bruett T, Muthuraj PG, Sahoo PK, Power J, Mott JL, Hanson C, Anderson-Berry A. journals.plos.org. 2021 Apr 22;16(4):e0249907. eCollection 2021. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249907. PMID: 33886600. PMCID: PMC8062006
Zika virus infection induces endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis in placental trophoblasts
Muthuraj PG, Sahoo PK, Kraus M, Bruett T, Annamalai AS, Pattnaik A, Pattnaik AK, Byrareddy SN, Natarajan SK. Cell Death Discov. 2021 Jan 26;7(1):24. doi: 10.1038/s41420-020-00379-8. PMID: 33500388. PMCID: PMC7838309.
2019
Omega-3 Fatty Acid-Derived Resolvin D2 Regulates Human Placental Vascular Smooth Muscle and Extravillous Trophoblast Activities. Ulu A, Sahoo PK, Yuil-Valdes AG, Mukherjee M, Van Ormer M, Muthuraj PG, Thompson M, Anderson Berry A, Hanson CK, Natarajan SK, Nordgren TM. Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Sep 7;20(18):4402. doi: 10.3390/ijms20184402. PMID: 31500240. PMCID: PMC6770915.
2018
Role of 3-Hydroxy Fatty Acid-Induced Hepatic Lipotoxicity in Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy. Natarajan SK, Ibdah JA. Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Jan 22;19(1):322. doi: 10.3390/ijms19010322. PMID: 29361796. PMCID: PMC5796265.
2017
FoxO3 increases miR-34a to cause palmitate-induced cholangiocyte lipoapoptosis. Natarajan SK, Stringham BA, Mohr AM, Wehrkamp CJ, Lu S, Phillippi MA, Harrison-Findik D, Mott JL. J Lipid Res. 2017 May;58(5):866-875. Epub 2017 Mar 1. doi: 10.1194/jlr.M071357. PMID: 28250026. PMCID: PMC5408604.