Onesmo B. Balemba, MVM, Ph.D.

Summary: 

Project 1.  Obesity, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) are among the top global health problems due to high socio-economic impact, significant morbidity, and mortality.  Research has generated indisputable evidence showing that interactions between nutrients, gut microbiota, and cells in the gut wall play a fundamental role in maintaining the health status and the pathobiology of obesity, prediabetes, and T2D.  Furthermore, obesity, prediabetes, and T2D patients have an increased frequency of symptoms of gut disorders, including difficulties with swallowing, bloating, early satiety, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, pain, diarrhea, constipation, and incontinence. Damage to nerve tissue in the gut (neuropathy of the enteric nervous system) and subsequent gut movement abnormalities underlie the development of these gut disorder symptoms. Remarkably, gut movement abnormalities are linked with causing obesity, prediabetes, and T2D.  Unfortunately, we do not fully understand what triggers enteric nervous system neuropathy and altered gut movements. Our lab investigates whether toxic molecules in gut content (stool) of mice fed a high-fat diet, prediabetes, and T2D patients, and specific bacteria isolated from the human gut trigger enteric nervous system damage and disrupt gut movements.

Project 2.  Diarrhea causes significant morbidity and mortality in children, people with weak immunity, the elderly, travelers, and in mass population movements associated with natural disasters and war displacement. Current therapies do not necessarily shorten the duration of diarrhea or lessen abdominal pain.  We investigate Garcinia buchananii bark extract for potential as a non-additive and effective complementary diarrhea treatment. We are also exploring the potential of using it and other plant extracts to mitigate diabetic enteric nervous system neuropathy.

Minimum Classes: Introductory Biology

Projects: The INBRE Research Fellows will focus on Project 1.