Soudamani Singh, PhD 
Associate Professor 
singhs@marshall.edu 
304.696.5256
Biosketch

Dr. Singh has more than a decade of research experience studying the regulation of intestinal epithelial nutrient and electrolyte transport in both in vitro and in vivo systems during physiological and pathophysiological states, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and obesity.

During her postdoctoral training, Dr. Singh’s research on B0AT1 demonstrated that the sodium-glutamine cotransporter B0AT1, found only in absorptive villus cells, is inhibited in IBD due to a transcriptional reduction in protein synthesis, most likely mediated by the inflammatory mediator prostaglandin E2. In contrast, the sodium-glutamine cotransporter SN2, the only nutrient absorptive system in secretory crypt cells, was stimulated through increased transporter affinity resulting from altered phosphorylation, most likely mediated by leukotriene D4.

Her current research focuses on adipose tissue-derived extracellular vesicles (AdEVs) and their role in intestinal epithelial transport. Understanding how AdEVs communicate with intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) to regulate nutrient transporters may help identify new therapeutic approaches. Her current research includes:

1. Adipose-derived exosomes and intestinal epithelial cell nutrient absorption during obesity

2. Effects of microplastics on sodium-nutrient cotransport in human intestinal epithelial cells

Project 1: The Role of Obese Adipose Tissue-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in the Regulation of SGLT1 in IECs
Adipose tissue-derived extracellular vesicles (AdEVs) are lipid-enclosed vesicles containing bioactive molecules such as microRNAs (miRNAs), messenger RNAs (mRNAs), proteins and lipids. These vesicles facilitate communication between adipose tissue and other organs and play important roles in physiological and pathological processes.

In intestinal epithelial cells, glucose absorption is mediated by the sodium-glucose cotransporter SGLT1. Using both in vivo and in vitro methods across genetic and diet-induced models of obesity, Dr. Singh and her colleagues demonstrated that SGLT1 activity is stimulated through increased affinity of the protein for glucose. Her research now focuses on identifying the cellular and molecular signaling mechanisms through which AdEVs regulate SGLT1 in intestinal epithelial cells during obesity.

Project 2: Effects of Microplastics on Sodium-Nutrient Cotransport in Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells
Microplastic pollution has emerged as a growing public health concern, with evidence demonstrating that humans routinely ingest these contaminants through food and water. Although the systemic effects of microplastics are increasingly studied, their specific impact on human intestinal nutrient absorption remains poorly understood.

Dr. Singh’s research examines how microplastics may disrupt the absorption of glucose and glutamine in human intestinal epithelial cells. Glucose, an important energy source for the body, is absorbed through the sodium-glucose cotransporter SGLT1 in the brush border membrane of intestinal epithelial cells, or enterocytes. Glutamine, a primary energy source for enterocytes, is absorbed through the sodium-glutamine cotransporter B0AT1.

Her work seeks to identify the mechanisms by which microplastics affect SGLT1-mediated glucose absorption and B0AT1-mediated glutamine absorption. The findings could provide new insight into how microplastic exposure affects intestinal nutrient absorption and human health.