YOUNG LAB / VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
Trace life.
Decode
metabolism.
We follow nutrients through biological systems to understand
disease and discover new opportunities in biotechnology.
CHEMICAL & BIOMOLECULAR ENGINEERING
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
Exploring central carbon metabolism
Move your cursor across the pathways, or select one above.
Simplified schematic; motion does not represent measured flux.
Metabolomics
Metabolic flux analysis
CONNECTED BY METABOLISM
Research Areas
From metabolism in the body to cells that manufacture useful
products, we investigate how nutrients are used—and what
changes their fate.
01 / METABOLIC HEALTH
Diabetes & Obesity
Understanding nutrient metabolism across cells,
tissues, and organs.
Metabolic tracers help us examine nutrient flow within
and between organs. Complementary cell-based studies
investigate mechanisms of metabolic dysfunction.
02 / BIOPHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTION
Cell Culture Engineering
Investigating cellular metabolism to improve
antibody production.
We study mitochondrial metabolism and metabolic
engineering in CHO cells, connecting nutrient use
and culture conditions with growth and productivity.
03 / PHOTOSYNTHETIC SYSTEMS
Photosynthesis & Bioproducts
Following carbon from photosynthesis to useful products.
Carbon-13 flux analysis reveals responses to genetic
and environmental changes. Engineering studies explore
ways to direct carbon toward fuels, nutrients,
and chemicals.
04 / CELL-DERIVED PRODUCTS
Extracellular Vesicle Biomanufacturing
Developing scalable approaches to stem-cell-derived
vesicle production.
We investigate stem-cell growth conditions and
scalable biomanufacturing strategies for producing
extracellular vesicles.
EXPLORE THE EVIDENCE
Selected publications
SCIENCE IS A SHARED PURSUIT
Different perspectives.
A shared curiosity.
Get to know the researchers and students behind the
Young Lab’s work, and explore the community that
makes it possible.
LET’S ASK THE NEXT QUESTION
Connect with the Young Lab.
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or learning more about the lab? Start a conversation with us.