Research

I - The conservation and adaptation of OGT/OGA across different species

O-GlcNAcylation is an ancient and ubiquitous post-translational modification, yet its evolutionary trajectory remains a frontier of discovery. We explore the phylogenetic conservation of O-GlcNAc Transferase (OGT) and O-GlcNAcase (OGA) across diverse domains of life, from primitive eukaryotes to complex mammals. We examine how the O-GlcNAc cycling machinery has adapted to different environmental pressures, serving as a universal rheostat for survival. By comparing the O-GlcNAcylation across species, we seek to uncover the fundamental rules of biological signaling that have remained constant over millions of years of evolution.

II - O-GlcNAcylation in Organismal Homeostasis

Life is sustained by metabolism, a fundamental process shaped by various factors since its inception. Over time, these influences have driven the evolution of diverse mechanisms, enabling organisms to adapt to specific environmental conditions. My research focuses on understanding how different organisms respond and adapt to biological challenges in their external environments, with a particular emphasis on analyzing metabolic processes through a curiosity-driven approach.

III - The O-GlcNAc code of Health and Disease

Many diseases possess the signature of alteration in O-GlcNAcylation levels. Here, I've been focused on the molecular mechanisms by which O-GlcNAcylation influences the aging brain. Our work explores how variation in O-GlcNAc cycling can exacerbate the formation of pathologies, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. By integrating large-scale omics data, biochemical and molecular biology tools, and behavioral analysis, we aim to decipher how maintaining healthy O-GlcNAc levels can preserve cognitive function and provide a metabolic defense against neurodegenerative diseases.