Meet the Grantee: Assistant Professor Sivaraj Mohana Sundaram
Investigating glucose flux regulation in skeletal muscle cells: Implications for insulin resistance and muscle atrophy in Type 2 Diabetes
How does insulin resistance alter muscle metabolism – and what does this mean for muscle loss in type 2 diabetes?
In close collaboration with his hosts at Campus Kulmbach, Prof. Dr. Frank Suhr and Prof. Dr. Susanne Baldermann, our Short Term Grantee Dr. Sivaraj Sundaram from Indian Institute of Technology was exploring these questions during his stay in Bayreuth and Kulmbach. By bridging fundamental science with clinical relevance, their research has the potential to deliver innovative therapies that improve life quality for millions of patients and help societies worldwide meet one of the most pressing health challenges of our time.
Professor Sivaraj Mohana Sundaram and Prof. Dr. Stefan Leible, President of the University of Bayreuth
If you had to explain the research project of your Short Term Grant to the person you metin the elevator, how would you describe it?
Sivaraj Mohana Sundaram: Skeletal muscle isn’t just for moving our bodies, it’s also one of the most important organs for keeping our blood sugar balanced after meals. In people with insulin resistance, which is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes, this balance breaks down, and muscles can eventually waste away. What we don’t yet fully understand is how glucose, once inside the muscle cell, is directed into different energy-producing pathways, like glycolysis or the pentose phosphate pathway, especially under insulin-resistant conditions.
My project uses advanced metabolomics and molecular biology tools to study this in detail. By tracking glucose metabolism in muscle cells with cutting-edge LC-MS analysis, we are tracking how these pathways behave when insulin signaling does not work properly. The ultimate goal is to uncover hidden molecular mechanisms that might explain muscle atrophy in diabetes, and hopefully point toward new therapeutic targets to preserve muscle health.
Briefly, We are decoding how insulin resistance changes muscle metabolism, to better understand and eventually combat the muscle loss in type 2 diabetes.
Was there a special moment in your life that made you decide for your research focus?
SMS: A special moment that shaped my research focus was realizing how profoundly type 2 diabetes is affecting populations not only in India but worldwide. The growing number of patients struggling with T2D made it clear to me that we need to better understand the full disease pathology if we are to ensure healthier lives in the future.
This realization drives my motivation to contribute to collaborative projects like the one we are pursuing now. Each participating group brings unique expertise, myself, work in metabolic and cellular biology, Dr. Suhr’s focus on muscle physiology and molecular exercise biology, and Dr. Baldermann’s advanced metabolomics capabilities. Together, we are building a comprehensive approach that connects fundamental research with translational outcomes. My own path into this field was guided by the conviction that such collective efforts can uncover novel molecular targets and eventually improve therapeutic strategies for T2D-related complications, such as muscle atrophy.
What is in your opinion the future of your field? In what way can research in your field contribute to meeting the urgent challenges of our time?
SMS: The future of my field lies in an integrated, systems-level understanding of complex diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2D), which is now a global health crisis beyond India. To address the urgent challenges posed by the rising prevalence of T2D, it is crucial to unravel the full disease pathology, not only at the metabolic and cellular level but also in terms of its impact on muscle physiology and overall health.
By bridging fundamental science with clinical relevance, research in this field has the potential to deliver innovative therapies that improve life quality for millions of patients and help societies worldwide meet one of the most pressing health challenges of our time.
What does international research mobility in today's world mean to you?
SMS: International research mobility today means much more than just the physical movement of scholars across borders. To me, it embodies the exchange of ideas, perspectives, and cultures that enrich scientific inquiry and collaboration. It enables researchers to work across diverse environments, build lasting networks, and address global challenges through shared knowledge. In a rapidly changing world, such mobility fosters resilience, innovation, and mutual understanding, values that are essential for advancing both science and society.
What was your personal experience during your stay?
SMS: During my short-term Humboldt-supported project, I had the opportunity to work in Prof. Suhr’s lab at the Kulmbach campus. I especially enjoyed the daily train journeys between Bayreuth and Kulmbach, which allowed me to appreciate the scenic surroundings. One of the highlights for me was visiting the castle in Kulmbach, it quickly became one of my favorite spots. Overall, I found the University of Bayreuth welcoming, and the city itself (Hofgarten) both charming and inspiring for research and everyday life.
What were your expectations when you applied for the Grant?
SMS: When I applied for the Humboldt-supported short-term grant at the University of Bayreuth, I expected not only to deepen my research exposure but also to engage in meaningful academic exchange with scholars working at the intersection of innovation and practical impact.
My specific goals were to strengthen collaborations, gain new methodological insights, and explore avenues for future joint research that could extend beyond the grant period.
If you could choose a famous researcher or scientist to have dinner with, who would it be?
SMS: If I had the chance to choose, I would love to have dinner with Prof. Dr. Eric Kandel, the Nobel Prize winning neuroscientist. His pioneering work on the molecular mechanisms of memory has always inspired me, not only for its scientific brilliance but also for how it bridges fundamental biology with the complexities of human cognition. A conversation with him would be truly enriching.
Have you noticed any differences or similarities between UBT and your home university?
SMS: I have indeed noticed both similarities and differences. At IIT Indore, the focus is often on rapid problem-solving and applying research to immediate challenges, whereas at UBT I found a stronger emphasis on structured, interdisciplinary collaboration and access to advanced facilities. At the same time, both institutions share a deep commitment to high-quality research and fostering international partnerships, which made my experience very enriching.
The Grantee
Thank you for reaching out.
I am Dr. Sivaraj from IIT Indore, and I recently completed a short-term research grant supported by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation at the University of Bayreuth. My research interests lie in 'Understanding the pathophysiology of Type 2 Diabetes'.
It was a rewarding experience collaborating under this program, and I look forward to building on these connections for future research.