The Baur Lab at the University of Pennsylvania focuses on understanding the basic mechanisms that lead to aging and are critical risk factors for major causes of morbidity and mortality in the western world, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders. The lab investigates how aging is influenced by nutrient intake, specifically caloric restriction, and a growing list of genetic and small molecule interventions. A primary emphasis of the lab is on elucidating the molecular mechanisms by which nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) metabolism contributes to aging, obesity, and disease. The Baur Lab utilizes genetic models and isotopic labeling strategies in conjunction with metabolomics to probe the pathways of NAD synthesis and its effects on whole-body metabolism. Additionally, they examine the role of supplemental NAD precursors and the compartmentalization of NAD pools in cellular metabolism, as well as how these processes are influenced by circadian rhythms. The lab also explores the mechanisms by which rapamycin affects metabolism, particularly its potential as a pharmacological strategy to extend lifespan, despite its known side effects such as elevated serum lipids and a diabetes-like syndrome.