Understanding the biological world is taking on a whole new meaning for next-generation researchers working in UNT's new Metabolomics and Metabolic Signaling Pathway Research Laboratory. The lab, which opened this fall, was one of 20 labs worldwide named as a Center of Innovation by the Waters Corp., one of the leading producers of mass spectrometry technology. Waters recognizes labs in which researchers are facilitating breakthroughs in areas including health and life science, food safety, environmental protection and sports medicine.

In the UNT lab, Vladimir Shulaev, professor of biological sciences, is overseeing a team of researchers at the brink of understanding how cells work during the metabolic process, which could lead to a better understanding of human disease and help improve agricultural crops.