Research Interests:

• Identify, characterize and understand the mechanism of biological functionality of bioactive food components in preventing and/or managing chronic and infectious diseases using latest biochemical and molecular tools.

• Nanoparticle and microparticle based detection systems to detect human pathogens.

• Development of biodegradable/safe nano and microparticle systems to deliver bioactive ingredients for therapeutic applications.

• Assessment of human health-promoting properties of novel bioactive food components and functional foods through metabolic, clinical, and population studies.

• Biochemical and biotechnological to produce bioactive ingredients for food and pharmaceutical industries.

• Current ongoing projects: (Contact for More Details)   

• Dietary phytochemicals and modulation of intraspecies and interspecies bacterial cell to cell signaling: Impact on colonization and virulence.

• Modulation of bacteria and host communication by dietary phytochemicals and impact on bacterial pathogenesis.

• Production of novel bioactive components by tissue culture and bioprocessing methods.

• Immune modulating effects of dietary phytochemicals and natural extracts from fruits, herbs and spices: Understanding mechanism of action.

• Nano and microparticle based detection systems rapid and accurate detection human pathogens.

• Development of biodegradable/safe Nanoparticle and microparticle systems to deliver bioactive ingredients for therapeutic applications related to microbial and chronic pathologies.

• Collaboration with NASA FTCSC to develop effective phytochemical based dietary strategies for cardiovascular, bone, immune, and gastrointestinal health of astronauts.

Facilities:

The Molecular and Cellular Nutrition Laboratories (MCNL) located in FCS 173 and FCS 151 are fully equipped for animal/plant cell/tissue culture, molecular biology and biochemistry experiments. The laboratories are suited to carryout microbiology, cell and tissue culture experiments under both infectious and protective isolation. Some representative facilities and equipments include: laminar flow unit, UV-Vis spectrophotometer, microplate reader, gradient thermocycler, electrophoresis instrumentation, incubators, shakers, refrigerated centrifuge, microcentrifuge, analytical balance, autoclave, refrigerator, freezer, lyophilizer, microscope, water purification system. Separate laboratory facilities and additional analytical equipment such as gene sequencers, EM, FM, HPLC, GC-MS, ITC etc are available through collaborating laboratories.

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Contact Information

Office - AG 215
Phone: 512-245-7655
Lab - AG 102
Phone: 512-245-7275
E-mail: DV11@txstate.edu