Natarajan Lab

Overview

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

         

Lab Members

Sathish Kumar Natarajan
Associate Professor
Bio 
snatarajan2@unl.edu

Isabelle Berlin
iberlin2@huskers.unl.edu

  • Isabelle is a senior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln pursuing the pre-Dental track.
Taija Hahka

taija.hahka@unmc.edu

  • Taija is a PhD student from the Dr. Anderson-Berry lab. Due to the nature of her bench work, she is working in the Natarajan Lab space and elucidating the antioxidant role of Resolvin D2, a pro-solving mediator against tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced reactive oxygen species.

  • She is also interested in analyzing transcriptomics of human placenta from pregnant mothers with normotensive, gestational hypertensive and preeclampsia.

Chandan Krishnamoorthy 
ckrishnamoorthy2@huskers.unl.edu
Research: Zika virus and West Nile virus induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis to neuronal cells.

  • Chandan gave an oral presentation on his Zika virus work in the First Annual meeting of the Child Health Research Institute held at the University of Nebraska-Omaha in November 2022.

Maddy Nelsen
mnelsen8@huskers.unl.edu

  • A sophomore undergrad student from Bennington, NE, Maddy is majoring in Biology and minoring in Biochemistry and Humanities in Medicine with the future goal of becoming a physician. 

Aiswariya Ravi
ar2@huskers.unl.edu
Research: Elucidating the protective dietary palmitoleate against maternal obesity-induced altered gut microbiota.

  • Aiswariya is also interested in studying the role of long chain hydroxy acyl CoA dehydrogenase in mitochondrial cariolipin synthesis. 

Deekshika Sekar 
Research: Studying the protective role dietary macadamia nut supplementation against maternal obesity-induced altered gut microbiota.
ds2@huskers.unl.edu

 

  • Deekshika is also interested in the study of maternal obesity-induced placenta and fetal liver complications. 

Gabrielle White
gwhite7@huskers.unl.edu

Former Lab Members

Swetha Ashokkumar
Natarajan Lab Role: Undergraduate exchange student from University of Iowa, 2021

  • Worked during the summer of 2021 and funded through Summer Redox Biology Center REU program fellow. Focused on the investigation of interferon alpha signaling in Zika virus-infected placental trophoblasts and the preliminary data generated by her in collaboration with Dr. Murali Ganesan from UNMC was instrumental in obtaining seed grant funding from NU collaborative initiative.
  • Currently with the NIH-Postbaccalaureate program at John Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD.

Taylor Bruett
Natarajan Lab Role: Undergraduate Student Researcher, 2016 & Lab Technician, 2019-2020

  • Successfully obtained funding from UCARE for her work on 3-hydroxy fatty acid-induced trophoblast lipoapoptosis at UNL
  • Returned to the Natarajan Lab in April 2019 as a Lab Technician.
  • Currently working as Lab Manager with Dr. Zimmerman's Lab at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Tony Delaney
Natarajan Lab Role: Research Technologist II, 2021-2024

  • Worked on elucidating the protective role of macadamia oil supplemented diet (high palmitoleate diet) against Zike virus infection-induced complicatoins using humanized STAT2 KI mice.
  • Played a vital role in assisting multiple lab members with their projects to help them achieve their goals.
  • Now working with the UNL Office of Research and Innovation as Research Project Manager I.
Sarah Dutt
Natarajan Lab Role: Undergraduate Student, 2017

  • Nutrition Sciences and Dietetics program graduate
  • Volunteered with Natarajan Lab to learn cell culture and aseptic techniques. 
Kathryn Hammer
Natarajan Lab Role: Lab Technician, 2022-2023 & Temporary Worker, 2022-Present

  • Working on elucidating the novel function of long chain hydroxy acyl CoA dehydrogenase in the synthesis of cardiolipin in trophoblasts and cardiomyocytes.
  • Graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nutrition Science major 2022
  • Accepted to the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Class of 2028
Taylor Heng
Natarajan Lab Role: Undergraduate Student, 2021

  • Via joint program with University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Iowa State University: completed the professional program in veterinary medicine and graduated with a degree in Biology, 2021
  • Currently working as a Veterinarian at Columbus Small Animal Hospital in Columbus, NE.
Madison Kraus
Natarajan Lab Role: Undergraduate Student, 2018-2019 & 2019-2020
Philma Glora Muthuraj
 
Jillian Power
Natarajan Lab Role: Undergraduate Student Researcher 2019-2020

  • Worked Worked on pro-apoptotic function of Forkhead family of transcription factor, FoxO3 in saturated free fatty acid-induced placental trophoblast damage during maternal obesity. 
  • Awarded UCARE Assistantship from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2018-2019 academic year.
  • Awarded ARD Undergraduate Scholarship Award from IANR at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2019-2020. 
Ellie Rautio
2019-August 2022

  • Completing Dietetic internship with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.
Prakash Kumar Sahoo
2019-2024

  • Currently a postdoctoral fellow with the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, IN.
  • Graduated from UNL with a PhD in Summer of 2023 and stayed with the Natarajan Lab as postdoc until January 2024.
  • 2018 Best Poster Award winner for his research on 3-hydroxy fatty acids induce placental trophoblast necroptosis in the Gilbert Greenwald Symposium, held at Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City, KS 
  • 2018 Best Poster Award winner at the NPOD Symposium
Mwiza Aline Uwashimimana
Natarajan Lab Role: Undergraduate exchange student from Rwanda, 2020-2021

  • Established the role of cellular stress pathway in response to accumulation of 3-hydroxy fatty acids in placental trophoblasts.
  • Received ARD Undergraduate Scholarship Award from IANR at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 
  • Now pursuing PhD in Department Department of Public Health at Purdue University. 
Jenna Whitmore
Natarajan Lab Role: Undergraduate Student Researcher from NE Wesleyan University with INBRE scholarship from UNMC, 2020-2021

  • Studied the protective role of n-3 fatty acids against particulate matter-induced inflammation in placental trophoblasts.
  • Graduated with MS in Professional Studies in Dietetics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • Completed Dietitian Board certificate and now working as a Registered Dietitian at Bryan Medical Center in Lincoln, NE.
Yihang Zhao
Natarajan Lab Role: Visiting Undergraduate Student from Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University (China) Scholars, Yangling, China

  • Worked on elucidating the protective role of Betaine protection againast palmitate-induced trophoblast lipoapoptosis.

 In the News

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

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  Selected Publications

PubMed

Natarajan Lab 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.