Ramon C Sun

Ramon C Sun,

Associate Professor; Director Of Center For Spatial Biomolecule Research (CASBR)

Department: MD-BIOCHEM / MOLECULAR BIOL
Business Phone: (352) 294-8407
Business Email: ramonsun@ufl.edu

About Ramon C Sun

Ramon C. Sun. Ph. D. Anne and Oscar Lackner Endowed Eminent Scholar and Associate Professor of Biochemistry Molecular Biology, University of Florida. Dr. Sun is the leading expert in spatial metabolism, his lab focuses on understanding the molecular events connecting complex carbohydrates to cellular metabolism, signaling, and physiology, with a strong emphasis on disease etiology of neurological disorders.

Additional Positions:
Anne and Oscar Lackner Endowed Chair
2022 – Current ·
Related Links:

Accomplishments

V-Scholar
2021 · V foundation
St Baldricks Scholar
2020 · St Baldricks Foundation

Teaching Profile

Courses Taught
2023-2024
BCH4905 Biochemistry Senior Research
2023-2024
BCH6206 Advanced Metabolism
2024
BCH6740 Physical Biochemistry/Structural Biology

Research Profile

Dr. Sun’s lab has developed a number of new mass spectrometry-based methodologies to profile and image complex carbohydrate molecules with single-cell sensitivity and fine spatial resolution to assess microenvironmental influences with sophisticated machine learning software suite for data analysis. His lab is in a uniquely position to formulate scientific hypotheses based on these data-rich spatial technologies, then, test these hypotheses using transdisciplinary techniques in relevant genetically modified cell line and mouse models. His recent work provided foundational understanding on how complex carbohydrate metabolism and dysregulation can drive cognitive decline during aging and dementia. Since establishing his lab, Dr. Sun has already published over 45 manuscripts in well-respected journals such as Cell Metabolism, Nature Communications, Science Advances, Alzheimer’s and Dementia. His latest work detailed a state-of-art methodology to assess spatial glycogen metabolism and discovered the metabolic channeling between glycogen and N-linked glycans within the brain and their impact on normal brain physiology. This work was published in Cell Metabolism. Dr. Sun’s seminal findings have significantly advanced our understanding of the role of glycogen in the brain and neurological disorders and have the potential to drive the discovery of more precise therapies for neurological diseases.

Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID)

0000-0002-3009-1850

Areas of Interest
  • Embryonic Development
  • Prevention of Brain Injury
  • AI Applications in Healthcare
  • Acute Respiratory Failure
  • Brain metabolism
  • Cancer metabolism

Publications

2024
Small-molecule inhibition of glycogen synthase 1 for the treatment of Pompe disease and other glycogen storage disorders
Science Translational Medicine. 16(730) [DOI] 10.1126/scitranslmed.adf1691. [PMID] 38232139.
2024
Voltage-gated potassium channels control extended access cocaine seeking: a role for nucleus accumbens astrocytes
Neuropsychopharmacology. 49(3):551-560 [DOI] 10.1038/s41386-023-01718-w. [PMID] 37660129.
2023
APOE modulates microglial immunometabolism in response to age, amyloid pathology, and inflammatory challenge.
Cell reports. 42(3) [DOI] 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112196. [PMID] 36871219.
2023
Author response: PASK links cellular energy metabolism with a mitotic self-renewal network to establish differentiation competence
. [DOI] 10.7554/elife.81717.sa2.
2023
Cervical spinal cord injury leads to injury and altered metabolism in the lungs
Brain Communications. 5(2) [DOI] 10.1093/braincomms/fcad091. [PMID] 37065091.
2023
Correction: Voltage-gated potassium channels control extended access cocaine seeking: a role for nucleus accumbens astrocytes
Neuropsychopharmacology. [DOI] 10.1038/s41386-023-01767-1.
2023
Current avenues of gene therapy in Pompe disease.
Current opinion in neurology. 36(5):464-473 [DOI] 10.1097/WCO.0000000000001187. [PMID] 37639402.
2023
Gys1 Antisense Therapy Prevents Disease-Driving Aggregates and Epileptiform Discharges in a Lafora Disease Mouse Model.
Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics. 20(6):1808-1819 [DOI] 10.1007/s13311-023-01434-9. [PMID] 37700152.
2023
In situ microwave fixation provides an instantaneous snapshot of the brain metabolome
Cell Reports Methods. 3(4) [DOI] 10.1016/j.crmeth.2023.100455. [PMID] 37159672.
2023
Inhibition of mitochondrial fission activates glycogen synthesis to support cell survival in colon cancer
Cell Death & Disease. 14(10) [DOI] 10.1038/s41419-023-06202-3. [PMID] 37816729.
2023
Ketohexokinase-C regulates global protein acetylation to decrease carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a-mediated fatty acid oxidation.
Journal of hepatology. 79(1):25-42 [DOI] 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.02.010. [PMID] 36822479.
2023
Loss of Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase 1a Reduces Docosahexaenoic Acid-Containing Phospholipids and Drives Sexually Dimorphic Liver Disease in Mice.
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology. [DOI] 10.1101/2023.08.17.553705. [PMID] 37645721.
2023
Loss of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a reduces docosahexaenoic acid-containing phospholipids and drives sexually dimorphic liver disease in mice.
Molecular metabolism. 78 [DOI] 10.1016/j.molmet.2023.101815. [PMID] 37797918.
2023
MetaVision3D: Automated Framework for the Generation of Spatial Metabolome Atlas in 3D.
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology. [DOI] 10.1101/2023.11.27.568931. [PMID] 38077043.
2023
PASK links cellular energy metabolism with a mitotic self-renewal network to establish differentiation competence
eLife. 12 [DOI] 10.7554/elife.81717.
2023
RIT1 regulation of CNS lipids RIT1 deficiency Alters cerebral lipid metabolism and reduces white matter tract oligodendrocytes and conduction velocities.
Heliyon. 9(10) [DOI] 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20384. [PMID] 37780758.
2023
Spatial Metabolome Lipidome and Glycome from a Single brain Section.
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology. [DOI] 10.1101/2023.07.22.550155. [PMID] 37546843.
2023
Spatial metabolomics reveals glycogen as an actionable target for pulmonary fibrosis
Nature Communications. 14(1) [DOI] 10.1038/s41467-023-38437-1. [PMID] 37179348.
2023
Targeting the Microbiome to Improve Gut Health and Breathing Function After Spinal Cord Injury.
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology. [DOI] 10.1101/2023.06.23.546264. [PMID] 38187534.
2023
The multifaceted roles of the brain glycogen
Journal of Neurochemistry. [DOI] 10.1111/jnc.15926. [PMID] 37554056.
2022
In situ mass spectrometry imaging reveals heterogeneous glycogen stores in human normal and cancerous tissues
EMBO Molecular Medicine. 14(11) [DOI] 10.15252/emmm.202216029. [PMID] 36059248.
2022
Activation of Drp1 promotes fatty acids-induced metabolic reprograming to potentiate Wnt signaling in colon cancer
Cell Death & Differentiation. 29(10):1913-1927 [DOI] 10.1038/s41418-022-00974-5. [PMID] 35332310.
2022
ASK1 Regulates Bleomycin-induced Pulmonary Fibrosis.
American journal of respiratory cell and molecular biology. 66(5):484-496 [DOI] 10.1165/rcmb.2021-0465OC. [PMID] 35148253.
2022
High-dimensionality reduction clustering of complex carbohydrates to study lung cancer metabolic heterogeneity.
Advances in cancer research. 154:227-251 [DOI] 10.1016/bs.acr.2022.02.005. [PMID] 35459471.
2022
In situ spatial glycomic imaging of mouse and human Alzheimer’s disease brains
Alzheimer's & Dementia. 18(10):1721-1735 [DOI] 10.1002/alz.12523. [PMID] 34908231.
2022
Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging of Glycogen In Situ.
Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.). 2437:215-228 [DOI] 10.1007/978-1-0716-2030-4_15. [PMID] 34902151.
2022
NRF2-pathway mutations predict radioresistance in non-small cell lung cancer.
Translational lung cancer research. 11(7):1510-1513 [DOI] 10.21037/tlcr-22-292. [PMID] 35958336.
2022
Tissue-Specific Downregulation of Fatty Acid Synthase Suppresses Intestinal Adenoma Formation via Coordinated Reprograming of Transcriptome and Metabolism in the Mouse Model of Apc-Driven Colorectal Cancer
International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 23(12) [DOI] 10.3390/ijms23126510. [PMID] 35742953.
2021
In Situ Analysis of N-Linked Glycans as Potential Biomarkers of Clinical Course in Human Prostate Cancer
Molecular Cancer Research. 19(10):1727-1738 [DOI] 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-20-0967.
2021
APOΕ4 lowers energy expenditure in females and impairs glucose oxidation by increasing flux through aerobic glycolysis.
Molecular neurodegeneration. 16(1) [DOI] 10.1186/s13024-021-00483-y. [PMID] 34488832.
2021
Astrocytic glycogen accumulation drives the pathophysiology of neurodegeneration in Lafora disease
Brain. 144(8):2349-2360 [DOI] 10.1093/brain/awab110. [PMID] 33822008.
2021
Brain glycogen serves as a critical glucosamine cache required for protein glycosylation.
Cell metabolism. 33(7):1404-1417.e9 [DOI] 10.1016/j.cmet.2021.05.003. [PMID] 34043942.
2021
Emerging roles of N-linked glycosylation in brain physiology and disorders
Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism. 32(12):980-993 [DOI] 10.1016/j.tem.2021.09.006. [PMID] 34756776.
2021
Enhancing lifespan of budding yeast by pharmacological lowering of amino acid pools.
Aging. 13(6):7846-7871 [DOI] 10.18632/aging.202849. [PMID] 33744865.
2021
Evaluation of Glutaminase Expression in Prostate Adenocarcinoma and Correlation with Clinicopathologic Parameters
Cancers. 13(9) [DOI] 10.3390/cancers13092157. [PMID] 33947068.
2021
Hippocampal disruptions of synaptic and astrocyte metabolism are primary events of early amyloid pathology in the 5xFAD mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
Cell Death & Disease. 12(11) [DOI] 10.1038/s41419-021-04237-y. [PMID] 34657143.
2021
Lactate supports a metabolic-epigenetic link in macrophage polarization
Science Advances. 7(46) [DOI] 10.1126/sciadv.abi8602. [PMID] 34767443.
2021
Purine synthesis as a target for radiation resistance in molecular glioblastoma.
Journal of the neurological sciences. 425 [DOI] 10.1016/j.jns.2021.117439. [PMID] 33887565.
2021
Regional N-glycan and lipid analysis from tissues using MALDI-mass spectrometry imaging
STAR Protocols. 2(1) [DOI] 10.1016/j.xpro.2021.100304. [PMID] 33554139.
2020
Accurate and sensitive quantitation of glucose and glucose phosphates derived from storage carbohydrates by mass spectrometry
Carbohydrate Polymers. 230 [DOI] 10.1016/j.carbpol.2019.115651. [PMID] 31887930.
2020
APOE alters glucose flux through central carbon pathways in astrocytes.
Neurobiology of disease. 136 [DOI] 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.104742. [PMID] 31931141.
2020
Clear Cell Adenocarcinoma of the Urinary Bladder Is a Glycogen-Rich Tumor with Poorer Prognosis
Journal of Clinical Medicine. 9(1) [DOI] 10.3390/jcm9010138. [PMID] 31947882.
2020
Improved workflow for mass spectrometry–based metabolomics analysis of the heart
Journal of Biological Chemistry. 295(9):2676-2686 [DOI] 10.1074/jbc.ra119.011081.
2020
Loss of Rb1 Enhances Glycolytic Metabolism in Kras-Driven Lung Tumors In Vivo
Cancers. 12(1) [DOI] 10.3390/cancers12010237. [PMID] 31963621.
2020
Oral Gavage Delivery of Stable Isotope Tracer for In Vivo Metabolomics
Metabolites. 10(12) [DOI] 10.3390/metabo10120501. [PMID] 33302448.
2020
Spatial profiling of gangliosides in mouse brain by mass spectrometry imaging
Journal of Lipid Research. 61(12) [DOI] 10.1194/jlr.ilr120000870.
2020
The E3 ligase malin plays a pivotal role in promoting nuclear glycogenolysis and histone acetylation.
Annals of translational medicine. 8(5) [DOI] 10.21037/atm.2020.01.130. [PMID] 32309401.
2020
“Serine and One-Carbon Metabolism in Breast Cancer Metastasis”–Letter
Molecular Cancer Research. 18(11):1755-1755 [DOI] 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-20-0646.
2019
Clinical Features, Survival and Prognostic Factors of Glycogen-Rich Clear Cell Carcinoma (GRCC) of the Breast in the U.S. Population
Journal of Clinical Medicine. 8(2) [DOI] 10.3390/jcm8020246. [PMID] 30769905.
2019
Nuclear Glycogenolysis Modulates Histone Acetylation in Human Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers.
Cell metabolism. 30(5):903-916.e7 [DOI] 10.1016/j.cmet.2019.08.014. [PMID] 31523006.
2019
Targeting Pathogenic Lafora Bodies in Lafora Disease Using an Antibody-Enzyme Fusion.
Cell metabolism. 30(4):689-705.e6 [DOI] 10.1016/j.cmet.2019.07.002. [PMID] 31353261.
2018
Correction: Quantitative profiling of carbonyl metabolites directly in crude biological extracts using chemoselective tagging and nanoESI-FTMS.
The Analyst. 143(4) [DOI] 10.1039/c8an90009d. [PMID] 29359211.
2018
Mitochondrial Metabolism in Major Neurological Diseases
Cells. 7(12) [DOI] 10.3390/cells7120229. [PMID] 30477120.
2017
Noninvasive liquid diet delivery of stable isotopes into mouse models for deep metabolic network tracing.
Nature communications. 8(1) [DOI] 10.1038/s41467-017-01518-z. [PMID] 29158483.
2017
Quantitative profiling of carbonyl metabolites directly in crude biological extracts using chemoselective tagging and nanoESI-FTMS.
The Analyst. 143(1):311-322 [DOI] 10.1039/c7an01256j. [PMID] 29192912.
2016
Hypoxic repression of pyruvate dehydrogenase activity is necessary for metabolic reprogramming and growth of model tumours.
Scientific reports. 6 [DOI] 10.1038/srep31146. [PMID] 27498883.
2016
Measuring the Impact of Microenvironmental Conditions on Mitochondrial Dehydrogenase Activity in Cultured Cells.
Advances in experimental medicine and biology. 899:113-20 [DOI] 10.1007/978-3-319-26666-4_7. [PMID] 27325264.
2015
The PI3K/Akt Pathway Regulates Oxygen Metabolism via Pyruvate Dehydrogenase (PDH)-E1α Phosphorylation.
Molecular cancer therapeutics. 14(8):1928-38 [DOI] 10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-14-0888. [PMID] 25995437.
2014
Hypoxic regulation of glutamine metabolism through HIF1 and SIAH2 supports lipid synthesis that is necessary for tumor growth.
Cell metabolism. 19(2):285-92 [DOI] 10.1016/j.cmet.2013.11.022. [PMID] 24506869.
2011
Targeting metabolism with arsenic trioxide and dichloroacetate in breast cancer cells.
Molecular cancer. 10 [DOI] 10.1186/1476-4598-10-142. [PMID] 22093145.
2010
Reversal of the glycolytic phenotype by dichloroacetate inhibits metastatic breast cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo.
Breast cancer research and treatment. 120(1):253-60 [DOI] 10.1007/s10549-009-0435-9. [PMID] 19543830.

Grants

Apr 2024 ACTIVE
Targeting Glycogen Metabolism in Ewing's Sarcoma: Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Applications
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH NCI
May 2023 ACTIVE
Deciphering the Glycan Code in Human Alzheimer's Disease Brain
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH NIA
Apr 2023 ACTIVE
Aberrant Glycogen Modulates Cerebral Glucose Metabolism in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH NIA
Dec 2022 – Dec 2023
Novel Antibody-Enzyme Fusion Therapy Targeting Ewing's Sarcoma
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: THE V FOU FOR CANCER RESEARCH
Nov 2022 ACTIVE
Aberrant Glycogen in Lung Adenocarcinoma Tumorigenesis
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH NCI
Nov 2022 – Mar 2024
Non-Invasive Imaging of Neurological Glycogen Storage Disease
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: KENNEDY KRIEGER INC via NATL INST OF HLTH NINDS
Nov 2022 – Jun 2023
G Protein Signaling in Brain Injury
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: UNIV OF KENTUCKY via NATL INST OF HLTH NINDS

Contact Details

Phones:
Business:
(352) 294-8407
Emails:
Business:
ramonsun@ufl.edu
Addresses:
Business Mailing:
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
PO Box 100245
Gainesville FL 32610
Business Street:
ARB R3-216A
1200 Newell Drive
GAINESVILLE FL 32610