Behzad Varamini | People, Biola University

Department	Department of Biological Sciences
Biola Affiliations	Faculty

Documents

Degrees

Postdoctoral Scholar, The University of Pennsylvania
Ph.D., Human Nutrition, Cornell University
B.S., Biotechnology, Elizabethtown College

Biography

Behzad Varamini incorporates current clinical case studies and cutting-edge research into his physiology, biochemistry, and nutrition courses, while also working closely with a small group of students in his laboratory. He is passionate about challenging and mentoring students to reach their truest and highest potential, and the aim of all his work in and out of the classroom is their long-term success.

Varamini is interested in the molecular mechanisms that drive aging and longevity. Specifically, his lab is focused on the behavior of a family of highly-conserved circadian-controlled metabolic genes called Sirtuins in mediating the effects of diet on drosophila melanogaster lifespan. A number of strains and genetic models are being investigated to elucidate the role of diet and small molecule activators of sirtuins on gene expression and sleep/activity levels. Dr. Varamini conducted post-doctoral research at the University of Pennsylvania.

Publications

“Docosahexaenoic and Arachidonic Acid Concentrations in Human Breast Milk Worldwide,” Brenna, J.T., Varamini, B., Jensen, R.G., Diersen-Schade, D.A., Boettcher, J.A., and Arterburn, L.M., Am J Clin Nutr. June 2007.
“Purinergic Glio-endothelial Coupling During Neuronal Activity: Role of P2Y1 Receptors and eNOS in Functional Hyperemia in the Mouse Somatosensory Cortex,” Toth, P., Tarantini, S., Davila, A., Valcarcel-Ares, M.N., Tucsek, Z., Varamini, B., Ballabh, P., Sonntag, W.E., Baur, J.A., Csiszar, A., and Ungvari, Z., Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, December 2015.
“Resveratrol Increases Cerebral Glycogen Synthase Kinase Phosphorylation as well as Protein Levels of Drebrin and Transthyretin in Mice: An Exploratory Study,” Varamini, B., Sikalidis, A.K., Bradford, K.L., Int J Food Sci Nutr, February 2014.
“Resveratrol for Primary Prevention of Atherosclerosis: Clinical Trial Evidence for Improved Gene Expression in Vascular Endothelium,” Agarwal, B., Campen, M.J., Channell, M.M., Wherry, S.J., Varamini, B., Davis, J.G., Baur. J.A., and Smoliga, J.M., Int J Cardiol, June 2013.
“Rapamycin has a Biphasic Effect on Insulin Sensitivity in C2C12 Myotubes due to Sequential Disruption of mTORC1 and mTORC2,” Ye, L., Varamini, B., Lamming, D.W., Sabatini, D.M., and Baur, J.A., Front Genet, September 2012.
“The Polyphenol Resveratrol Alters Global Patterns of Gene Regulation and Improves Physiology Through Multiple Potential Pathways,” in Nutritional Genomics, Varamini, B., and Baur, J.A., ed. Bidlack, W. (Taylor and Francis, 2010), pp. 123-133.
“SIRT1 is Required for AMPK Activation and the Beneficial Effects of Resveratrol on Mitochondrial Function,” Price, N.P., Gomes, A.P., Ling, A.J., Montalvo, A.M., North, B.J., Hubbard, B.P., Agarwal, B., Davis, J.G., Varamini, B., Hafner, A., Moaddel, R., Rolo, A.P., Palmeira, C.M., deCabo, R., Baur, J.A., and Sinclaur, D.A., Cell Metab, May 2012.
“Roles of Hormones and Signaling Molecules in Describing the Relationship Between Obesity and Colon Cancer,” Sikalidis, A.K., and Varamini, B., Pathol Oncol Res., January 2011.
“Mammalian DNA (15) N Exhibits Intramolecular Variation and is Unresponsive to Dietary Protein Level,” Strable, M.S., Tschanz, C., Varamini, B., and Brenna, J.T., Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom, December 2011.

Presentations

Genetics Society of America. Presented on “Dietary Restriction Alters Sleep and Activity Levels in 14 day-old Drosophila Melanogaster.” 2017.
Experimental Biology. Presented on “Intensive Use of Primary Literature in Science Courses can Enhance Critical Thinking, Student Interest and Content Integration.” 2014.
Experimental Biology, New Orleans. Presented on “Dietary Resveratrol Induces Neuroprotective Changes in Several Protein Targets but does not Affect Plaque Burden in Alzheimer's Disease Transgenic Mice.” 2009
Experimental Biology, Washington D.C. Presented on “Neuronal DNA does not Turn Over During Guinea Pig Life Span.” 2007
Experimental Biology. Presented on “Dietary Restriction Increases and Consolidates Sleep in Drosophila Melanogaster.” 2016.

Research Interests

Nutrient-Sensing and Nutrient-Responsive Gene Expression in Drosophila
Molecular Mechanisms of Sleep and Longevity

Courses

Physiology
Human Nutrition
Nutrition and Metabolism
Nutrition, Health, and Society
Writing in the Disciplines: Scientific Communication

Areas of Expertise for Media Interviews

Biological Sciences