The Duan laboratory is interested in understanding how sphingolipids play roles during human aging. Our current works focus on two interactions 1) the interaction of endogenous and exogenous sphingolipids and 2) the interaction of sphingolipids and proteins on the plasma membrane. We are trying to understand the roles of sphingolipids in human health and related molecular mechanisms for contributing clinical diagnostics and personalized health care. We also aim to apply natural sphingolipids and their derivatives to biotech, pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetics industries.