Molecular image of an intestines

About 

We investigate how essential micronutrients, particularly zinc and manganese, regulate critical cellular processes and maintain human health. Through preclinical animal models and ex vivo organoid cultures, we study how the Solute Carrier (SLC) family of metal transporters facilitates micronutrient functions across tissues, organs and cells.

Our approach integrates multiple scientific disciplines, including: 

  • Advanced biochemistry techniques
  • Molecular biology methods
  • Cutting-edge nutritional genomics
  • State-of-the-art metallomics analysis using Microwave Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (MP-AES)

Our research explores interactions between:

  • Gene-micronutrient
  • Macronutrient-micronutrient
  • Disease-micronutrient

Current research priorities:

  • Understanding zinc and manganese transport dynamics in health and disease
  • Investigating zinc-mediated interactions between host systems and gut microbiome
  • Examining how these processes influence multiple organ systems in chronic inflammatory conditions and metabolic disorders
aydemir_lab_students_working
microscopic image of protein

Our team 

Tolunay Beker Aydemir, Ph.D. is the principal investigator and an assistant professor of Molecular Nutrition. 

Group photo of current staff and students in the Aydemir Lab

Savita Sastry

 

Savita Sastry

I am a third-year Molecular Nutrition Ph.D. Candidate in the Aydemir Lab, where I study how zinc deficiency disrupts gut microbial ecosystems regionally and contributes to inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease. My research integrates nutritional genomics, microbiology, and computational biology, leveraging multi-omics approaches to uncover regional host–microbiome–nutrient interactions relevant to chronic disease. I enjoy merging biological phenomena with big data through collaboration, curiosity, and creative problem-solving. When I am not in the lab, I like to make and share music, learn about philosophy, and spend time with nature and my friends. 

Abigail (ABBY) Ann Glick

 

Abigail (ABBY) Ann Glick

I am a second-year master's student in the Aydemir Lab, studying the role of zinc and zinc transporters in intestinal tissue during glycemic response. I previously earned my B.S. In Dietetics from Iowa State University, where I helped facilitate a human clinical trial and national consumer surveys. Currently, my research interests include gut-specific alterations during disease and the application of bioinformatics to nutrition research. In my free time, I love running, biking, and spending time with my cat Wallace!

Yoyo You

 

Yoyo You

I am a first-year master’s student in Aydemir Lab. I graduated from the University of California, Davis with a Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Nutrition.

Trista Lee Thorn, M.S.

Laboratory technician; graduated from Upstate Medical University with a Master’s in Neuroscience and Physiology.

Yongeun Kim, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral researcher; graduated from Kyunghee University with a Master’s in Food Science and Biotechnology. She obtained her Ph.D. from the Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences at University of Nebraska – Lincoln.

Jiaqi Zou, M.S.

Graduate student researcher and Ph.D. student; graduated from University of Cambridge with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Master’s degree in Clinical and Public Health Nutrition from the University College London.

Blake Mitchell

Graduate student researcher and Ph.D. student; graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutritional Sciences.

Dae Guang Chung Kim

Undergraduate student researcher in the Aydemir Lab from 2018-2021. Dae Guang graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree in Nutritional Sciences and plans to attend Medical School.

Jason Kong

Undergraduate student researcher that completed his Honor’s Thesis in the Aydemir Lab from 2020-2021.

Publications

View the complete bibliography for Tolunay Aydemir.

Publications

2025

  1. Zou J and Aydemir TB*. Gut to Brain: Essential Micronutrient Manganese Transport, Function, and Toxicity. Under Review
  2. Zou J, Thorn TL, Wang Z, Wang Y, Aydemir TB*. The Ins and Outs of Manganese: ZIP14 facilitates the efflux of excess manganese from the brain. bioRxiv 2025.07.02.662898; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.07.02.662898. 
  3. Sastry S, Mitchell SB, Glick A, Thorn TL, Aydemir TB*. Multiomics Approach to Regionally Profile Zinc-Driven Host-Gut Microbiome Interactions in the Intestinal Tract. 2025. bioRxiv 2025.07.02.662895; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.07.02.662895
  4. Mitchell SB and Aydemir TB*. Roles of Zinc and Zinc Transporters in Development, Progression, and Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Volume 12 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1649658
  5. Mitchell SB, Aydemir TB*. ZIP Family Zinc Transporters: Emerging Players in Pancreatic β Cell Function and Insulin Regulation, The Journal of Nutrition, doi: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.06.007

2024

  1. Hung YH, Kim Y, Mitchell SB, Thorn TL, Aydemir TB*. Absence of Slc39a14/Zip14 in mouse pancreatic beta cells results in hyperinsulinemia. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2024 Jan 1;326(1):E92-E105. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00117.2023. PubMed PMID: 38019082.

2023

  1. Mitchell SB, Thorn TL, Lee MT, Kim Y, Comrie JMC, Bai ZS, Johnson EL, Aydemir TB*. Metal transporter SLC39A14/ZIP14 modulates regulation between the gut microbiome and host metabolism. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2023 Dec 1;325(6):G593-G607. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.00091.2023. Epub 2023 Oct 24. PubMed PMID: 37873588.
  2. Mitchell SB, Hung YH, Thorn TL, Zou J, Baser F, Gulec S, Cheung C, Aydemir TB*. Sucrose-induced hyperglycemia dysregulates intestinal zinc metabolism and integrity: risk factors for chronic diseases. Front Nutr. 2023 Aug 11;10:1220533. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1220533. PMID: 37637953; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC10450956.

2021

  1. Sun T, Wang K, Wyman B, Sudibyo H, Liu G, Beal C, Manning S, Johnson ZI, Aydemir TB, Tester JW, Lei XG. Supplemental dietary full-fatted and defatted Desmodesmus sp. exerted similar effects on growth performance, gut health, and excreta hydrothermal liquefaction of broiler chicks. Algal Research. 2021 54(2021);102205, ISSN 2211-9264, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2021.102205.

2020

  1. Gheller ME, Vermeylen F, Handzlik MK, Gheller BJ, Bender E, Metallo C, Aydemir TB, Smriga M, Thalacker-Mercer AE. Tolerance to graded dosages of histidine supplementation in healthy human adults. Am J Clin Nutr. 2020 Nov 11;112(5):1358-1367. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqaa210. PubMed PMID: 32766885.
  2. Lin M, Colon-Perez LM, Sambo DO, Miller DR, Lebowitz JJ, Jimenez-Rondan F, Cousins RJ, Horenstein N, Aydemir TB, Febo M, Khoshbouei H. Mechanism of Manganese Dysregulation of Dopamine Neuronal Activity. J Neurosci. 2020 Jul 22;40(30):5871-5891. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2830-19.2020. Epub 2020 Jun 23. PubMed PMID: 32576620; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7380961.
  3. Aydemir TB*, Thorn TL, Ruggiero CH, Pompilus M, Febo M, Cousins RJ. Intestine-specific deletion of metal transporter Zip14 (Slc39a14) causes brain manganese overload and locomotor defects of manganism. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2020 Apr 1;318(4):G673-G681. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.00301.2019. Epub 2020 Jan 31. PubMed PMID: 32003605; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7191460. 
  4. Kim J, Aydemir TB, Jimenez-Rondan FR, Ruggiero CH, Kim MH, Cousins RJ. Deletion of metal transporter Zip14 (Slc39a14) produces skeletal muscle wasting, endotoxemia, Mef2c activation and induction of miR-675 and Hspb7. Sci Rep. 2020 Mar 4;10(1):4050. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-61059-2. PubMed PMID: 32132660; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7055249.

2005-2018

  1. Hendrickx G, Borra VM, Steenackers E, Yorgan TA, Hermans C, Boudin E, Waterval JJ, Jansen IDC, Aydemir TB, Kamerling N, Behets GJ, Plumeyer C, D'Haese PC, Busse B, Everts V, Lammens M, Mortier G, Cousins RJ, Schinke T, Stokroos RJ, Manni JJ, Van Hul W. Conditional mouse models support the role of SLC39A14 (ZIP14) in Hyperostosis Cranialis Interna and in bone homeostasis. PLoS Genet. 2018 Apr;14(4):e1007321. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007321. eCollection 2018 Apr. PubMed PMID: 29621230; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5903675.
  2. Aydemir TB*, Cousins RJ. The Multiple Faces of the Metal Transporter ZIP14 (SLC39A14). J Nutr. 2018 Feb 1;148(2):174-184. doi: 10.1093/jn/nxx041. Review. PubMed PMID: 29490098; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6251594. 
  3. Kim MH, Aydemir TB, Kim J, Cousins RJ. Hepatic ZIP14-mediated zinc transport is required for adaptation to endoplasmic reticulum stress. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2017 Jul 18;114(29):E5805-E5814. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1704012114. Epub 2017 Jul 3. PubMed PMID: 28673968; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5530682.
  4. Aydemir TB, Kim MH, Kim J, Colon-Perez LM, Banan G, Mareci TH, Febo M, Cousins RJ. Metal Transporter Zip14 (Slc39a14) Deletion in Mice Increases Manganese Deposition and Produces Neurotoxic Signatures and Diminished Motor Activity. J Neurosci. 2017 Jun 21;37(25):5996-6006. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0285-17.2017. Epub 2017 May 23. PubMed PMID: 28536273; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5481939.
  5. Aydemir TB, Troche C, Kim J, Kim MH, Teran OY, Leeuwenburgh C, Cousins RJ. Aging amplifies multiple phenotypic defects in mice with zinc transporter Zip14 (Slc39a14) deletion. Exp Gerontol. 2016 Dec 1;85:88-94. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2016.09.013. Epub 2016 Sep 16. PubMed PMID: 27647172; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5101137.
  6. Aydemir TB, Troche C, Kim MH, Cousins RJ. Hepatic ZIP14-mediated Zinc Transport Contributes to Endosomal Insulin Receptor Trafficking and Glucose Metabolism. J Biol Chem. 2016 Nov 11;291(46):23939-23951. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M116.748632. Epub 2016 Oct 4. PubMed PMID: 27703010; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5104920.
  7. Kim MH, Aydemir TB, Cousins RJ. Dietary Zinc Regulates Apoptosis through the Phosphorylated Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 2α/Activating Transcription Factor-4/C/EBP-Homologous Protein Pathway during Pharmacologically Induced Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Livers of Mice. J Nutr. 2016 Nov;146(11):2180-2186. doi: 10.3945/jn.116.237495. Epub 2016 Sep 7. PubMed PMID: 27605406; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5086795.
  8. Troche C, Aydemir TB, Cousins RJ. Zinc transporter Slc39a14 regulates inflammatory signaling associated with hypertrophic adiposity. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2016 Feb 15;310(4):E258-68. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00421.2015. Epub 2015 Dec 8. PubMed PMID: 26646099; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4971811.
  9. Lais LL, de Lima Vale SH, Xavier CA, de Araujo Silva A, Aydemir TB, Cousins RJ. Effect of A One-Week Balanced Diet on Expression of Genes Related to Zinc Metabolism and Inflammation in Type 2 Diabetic Patients. Clin Nutr Res. 2016 Jan;5(1):26-32. doi: 10.7762/cnr.2016.5.1.26. Epub 2016 Jan 29. PubMed PMID: 26839874; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4731859.
  10. Guthrie GJ, Aydemir TB, Troche C, Martin AB, Chang SM, Cousins RJ. Influence of ZIP14 (slc39A14) on intestinal zinc processing and barrier function. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2015 Feb 1;308(3):G171-8. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.00021.2014. Epub 2014 Nov 26. Review. PubMed PMID: 25428902; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4312952.
  11. Martin AB, Aydemir TB, Guthrie GJ, Samuelson DA, Chang SM, Cousins RJ. Gastric and colonic zinc transporter ZIP11 (Slc39a11) in mice responds to dietary zinc and exhibits nuclear localization. J Nutr. 2013 Dec;143(12):1882-8. doi: 10.3945/jn.113.184457. Epub 2013 Oct 2. PubMed PMID: 24089422; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3827636.
  12. Aydemir TB, Chang SM, Guthrie GJ, Maki AB, Ryu MS, Karabiyik A, Cousins RJ. Zinc transporter ZIP14 functions in hepatic zinc, iron and glucose homeostasis during the innate immune response (endotoxemia). PLoS One. 2012;7(10):e48679. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0048679. Epub 2012 Oct 24. PubMed PMID: 23110240; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3480510.
  13. Aydemir TB, Sitren HS, Cousins RJ. The zinc transporter Zip14 influences c-Met phosphorylation and hepatocyte proliferation during liver regeneration in mice. Gastroenterology. 2012 Jun;142(7):1536-46.e5. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2012.02.046. Epub 2012 Feb 25. PubMed PMID: 22374166; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3635537.
  14. Ryu MS, Guthrie GJ, Maki AB, Aydemir TB, Cousins RJ. Proteomic analysis shows the upregulation of erythrocyte dematin in zinc-restricted human subjects. Am J Clin Nutr. 2012 May;95(5):1096-102. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.111.032862. Epub 2012 Mar 28. PubMed PMID: 22456662; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3325834.
  15. Cousins RJ, Aydemir TB, Lichten LA. Plenary Lecture 2: Transcription factors, regulatory elements and nutrient-gene communication. Proc Nutr Soc. 2010 Feb;69(1):91-4. doi: 10.1017/S0029665109991790. Epub 2009 Dec 8. Review. PubMed PMID: 19968906; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3790273.
  16. Aydemir TB, Liuzzi JP, McClellan S, Cousins RJ. Zinc transporter ZIP8 (SLC39A8) and zinc influence IFN-gamma expression in activated human T cells. J Leukoc Biol. 2009 Aug;86(2):337-48. doi: 10.1189/jlb.1208759. Epub 2009 Apr 28. PubMed PMID: 19401385; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2726764.
  17. Aydemir TB, Blanchard RK, Cousins RJ. Zinc supplementation of young men alters metallothionein, zinc transporter, and cytokine gene expression in leukocyte populations. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006 Feb 7;103(6):1699-704. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0510407103. Epub 2006 Jan 24. PubMed PMID: 16434472; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC1413653.
  18. Liuzzi JP, Lichten LA, Rivera S, Blanchard RK, Aydemir TB, Knutson MD, Ganz T, Cousins RJ. Interleukin-6 regulates the zinc transporter Zip14 in liver and contributes to the hypozincemia of the acute-phase response. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005 May 10;102(19):6843-8. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0502257102. Epub 2005 Apr 29. PubMed PMID: 15863613; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC1100791.
  19. Pai SB, Bozdayi AM, Pai RB, Beker T, Sarioglu M, Turkyilmaz AR, Grier J, Yurdaydin C, Schinazi RF. Emergence of a novel mutation in the FLLA region of hepatitis B virus during lamivudine therapy. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2005 Jul;49(7):2618-24. doi: 10.1128/AAC.49.7.2618-2624.2005. PubMed PMID: 15980328; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC1168680.
  20. Pai SB, Pai RB, Xie MY, Beker T, Shi J, Tharnish PM, Chu CK, Schinazi RF. Characterization of hepatitis B virus inhibition by novel 2'-fluoro-2',3'-unsaturated beta-D- and L-nucleosides. Antivir Chem Chemother. 2005;16(3):183-92. doi: 10.1177/095632020501600304. PubMed PMID: 16004081.

Chapters

  1. Ryu MS, Aydemir TB. 2020. Chapter 23. Zinc. Present Knowledge in Nutrition: Basic Nutrition and Metabolism, Eleventh Edition. Elsevier
  2. Grider A, Aydemir TB. 2025. Chapter 34. Zinc, Copper, and Manganese. Biochemical, Physiological, and Molecular Aspects of Human Nutrition, Fifth edition. Elsevier
Pancreatic beta cells

Contact us

Dr. Tolunay Aydemir
225 Savage Hall (office)
234 Kinzelberg Hall (lab)
607-255-3770
tb536 [at] cornell.edu