Education
B.S., Biochemistry, Andhra University, India
M.S., Biochemistry, Andhra University, India
Ph.D., Bioinformatics, The University of Essex, U.K.
Biography
Before joining ACNC as a visiting scientist in May 2015, Dr. Chintapalli worked as a postdoctoral computational biologist in both Pennsylvania State University and University of California, Davis.
Research Interests
Dr. Chintapalli’s laboratory studies how sub-cellular pathways and molecular functions in tissues influence whole-body metabolism, and vice-versa. The group leverages a wide array of cell, molecular, and physiology techniques to address questions relevant to metabolic health and to diseases such as heart failure, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Working in a multidisciplinary collaborative environment, the team applies in silico, in vitro and in vivo studies to gather a broader picture of physiological function. These studies further leverage key insights towards development of clinical studies including controlled feeding experiments, fitness intervention and monitoring whole-body and molecular physiology during acute exercise and fatigue. By understanding the fundamental biology and regulatory systems that define metabolic health, our lab aims to provide the evidence base needed to craft effective strategies to thwart disease and improve health and development of children and adults. One are of interest is research to understand the biochemical and cellular factors that underlie muscle function and fuel utilization, with a specific focus on the role of myoglobin in this process. This research is essential to discovering mechanisms involved with the positive health benefits of physical activity and exercise in children and adults alike. The degree to which myoglobin and other proteins functionally respond to nutrition and fitness remains to be fully elucidated, and very little is known about this during development or pregnancy. Our laboratory leverages a wide range study that includes structural, functional, and evolutionary biology using in silico, biochemical and biophysical methods. His lab is part of the ACNC Biostatistics and Data Innovation Team, and collaborates extensively with multidisciplinary groups and engages in performing various bioinformatics analysis on RNA-Seq data, microbial and metagenomics analysis.
Recent Studies
Muscle metabolites trafficking
Myoglobin (Mb)-mediated oxygen (O2) delivery is key for heart function at normoxic conditions and there is a significant knowledge gap on the underlying mechanisms regulating how cellular metabolites affect Mb-O2 dynamics in hypoxic/acidic conditions. The specific means by which fatty acids and their derivatives are trafficked and sequestered in muscle are not fully known. The fate of lipids in myocytes has profound importance to understanding fundamental principles around fat oxidation and lipotoxicity; the latter is implicated in driving insulin resistance and muscle dysfunction. The molecular physiology team is currently investigating novel interactions of macromolecule metabolites of fat metabolism (fatty acids and acylcarnitine’s), glycolytic pathway (mono carboxylates) and tricarboxylic acid pathway (di- and tri-carboxylates) toward the age-old ever fascinating oxygen carrying myoglobin. These findings will reveal novel mechanisms by which oxidative metabolism, fat combustion, and lipid accumulation could be linked and regulated. Current studies are examining how manipulation of the myoglobin system impacts muscle health and function.