Gaikwad Steroidomics Lab has supported peer-reviewed academic research through specialized steroidomics, metabolomics, bileomics, neurosteroid, estrogen, food biomarker, archaeological residue, and LC-MS/MS analytical services.
The publications below include studies where GSL analytical services, biomarker expertise, method development, specialized measurements, interpretation, co-authorship, or joint first-author scientific contributions supported published research.
These examples demonstrate the breadth of GSL’s analytical capabilities across hormone biology, bile acid metabolomics, neurosteroids, maternal biomarkers, cancer biology, food biomarkers, archaeology, and translational research.
Featured Publications
Bileomic identification and quantification of bile acids in rat kidney by UPLC–MS/MS
Nilesh W. Gaikwad
Steroids, 230, 109777, 2026
Research Area: Bileomics, bile acid metabolomics, kidney bile acids, UPLC–MS/MS
This study demonstrates targeted identification and quantification of bile acids in rat kidney using UPLC–MS/MS-based bileomic analysis. The work highlights GSL’s expertise in bile acid measurement, bileomics method development, and tissue metabolite profiling.
The use and domestication of Theobroma cacao during the mid-Holocene in the upper Amazon
Sonia Zarrillo, Nilesh W. Gaikwad, Claire Lanaud, Francisco Valdez, Terry Powis, Christopher Viot, Louis Grivetti, Olivier Fouet, Xavier Argout, Isabelle Lesur, Hélène Vignes, Erwan Guichoux, Franck Salin, Maarten Pirson, Rey Loor Solorzano, Patrick Severts, Julio Hurtado, Alexandra Yepez, Michael Blake
Nature Ecology & Evolution, 2, 1879–1888, 2018
Author Contribution: Sonia Zarrillo, Nilesh W. Gaikwad, and Claire Lanaud contributed equally.
Research Area: Cacao biomarkers, food biomarkers, archaeological residue analysis, domestication studies
This high-impact study used biomarker and archaeogenomic approaches to investigate the early use and domestication of cacao. Nilesh W. Gaikwad contributed as a joint first author, reflecting GSL-related expertise in biomarker analysis and interpretation for archaeological and food-biomarker research.
Media Coverage: BBC, Nature, Scientific American, The Guardian
A revisited history of cacao domestication in pre-Columbian times revealed by archaeogenomic approaches
Claire Lanaud, Hélène Vignes, José Utge, Gilles Valette, Bénédicte Rhoné, Mariella Garcia Caputi, Natalia Sofía Angarita Nieto, Olivier Fouet, Nilesh Gaikwad, Sonia Zarrillo, Terry G. Powis, Ann Cyphers, Francisco Valdez, S. Quirino Olivera Nunez, Camilla Speller, Michael Blake, Fred Jr. Valdez, Scott Raymond, Sarah M. Rowe, Guy S. Duke, Francisco Ernesto Romano, Rey Gaston Loor Solórzano, Xavier Argout
Scientific Reports, 14, 2972, 2024
Research Area: Cacao domestication, archaeogenomics, food biomarkers, analytical residue support
This study expanded the understanding of cacao domestication and movement in pre-Columbian cultures using archaeogenomic and biomarker-related approaches. GSL’s participation reflects its unique expertise in food biomarker and archaeological residue research.
Media Coverage: Reuters, USNews
Aromatase deficiency in hematopoietic cells improves glucose tolerance in male mice through skeletal muscle-specific effects
Katya B. Rubinow, Laura J. den Hartigh, Leela Goodspeed, Shari Wang, Orhan K. Oz
PLoS ONE, 2020. Published January 23, 2020
Research Area: Tissue estrogen measurement, aromatase biology, glucose metabolism, skeletal muscle metabolism
This study investigated how aromatase deficiency in hematopoietic cells affects glucose tolerance and tissue-specific metabolic outcomes in male mice. The authors acknowledged Nilesh Gaikwad and Gaikwad Steroidomics Lab, LLC, for measurement of tissue estrogen concentrations.
GSL Contribution: Measurement of tissue estrogen concentrations.
The steroid metabolome in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder during GnRH agonist-induced ovarian suppression: Effects of estradiol and progesterone addback
Tuong Vi Nguyen, John M. Reuter, Nilesh W. Gaikwad, Daniel Rotroff, HR Bucera, Alison Motsinger-Reif, Chris P. Smith, Lynnette K. Nieman, David R. Rubinow, Rima Kaddurah-Daouk, Peter J. Schmidt
Translational Psychiatry, 7(8), e1193, 2017
Author Contribution: Tuong Vi Nguyen, John M. Reuter, and Nilesh W. Gaikwad contributed equally as joint first authors.
Research Area: Steroid metabolomics, PMDD, estradiol, progesterone, ovarian suppression
This study investigated steroid metabolome changes in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder during hormone manipulation. Nilesh W. Gaikwad contributed as a joint first author, highlighting GSL-related expertise in steroidomics, pathway-level steroid biomarker analysis, and interpretation.
Prefrontal allopregnanolone synergizes with D1 receptor activation to disrupt sensorimotor gating in male Sprague-Dawley rats
Roberto Frau, Francesco Traccis, Luca Concas, Roberto Cadeddu, Laura J. Mosher, Peter Nordkild, Nilesh W. Gaikwad, Marco Bortolato
Psychopharmacology, 240, 1359–1372, 2023
Research Area: Neurosteroids, allopregnanolone, behavioral neuroscience, LC-MS/MS analysis
This study examined the role of prefrontal allopregnanolone and dopamine receptor activation in sensorimotor gating. The publication supports GSL’s expertise in neurosteroid and allopregnanolone-related analytical services.
Complete Publication List
2026
Bileomic identification and quantification of bile acids in rat kidney by UPLC–MS/MS
Nilesh W. Gaikwad
Steroids, 230, 109777, 2026.
Research Area: Bileomics, kidney bile acids, UPLC–MS/MS
2024
A revisited history of cacao domestication in pre-Columbian times revealed by archaeogenomic approaches
Claire Lanaud, Hélène Vignes, José Utge, Gilles Valette, Bénédicte Rhoné, Mariella Garcia Caputi, Natalia Sofía Angarita Nieto, Olivier Fouet, Nilesh Gaikwad, Sonia Zarrillo, Terry G. Powis, Ann Cyphers, Francisco Valdez, S. Quirino Olivera Nunez, Camilla Speller, Michael Blake, Fred Jr. Valdez, Scott Raymond, Sarah M. Rowe, Guy S. Duke, Francisco Ernesto Romano, Rey Gaston Loor Solórzano, Xavier Argout
Scientific Reports, 14, 2972, 2024.
Research Area: Cacao biomarkers, archaeogenomics, food biomarker analysis
2023
Prefrontal allopregnanolone synergizes with D1 receptor activation to disrupt sensorimotor gating in male Sprague-Dawley rats
Roberto Frau, Francesco Traccis, Luca Concas, Roberto Cadeddu, Laura J. Mosher, Peter Nordkild, Nilesh W. Gaikwad, Marco Bortolato
Psychopharmacology, 240, 1359–1372, 2023.
Research Area: Neurosteroids, allopregnanolone, behavioral neuroscience
A hepatocyte-specific transcriptional program driven by Rela and Stat3 exacerbates experimental colitis in mice by modulating bile synthesis
Jyotsna Singh, Binayak Sarkar, Mohit Yadav, Alvina Deka, Manasvini Markandey, Priyadarshini Sanyal, Perumal Nagarajan, Nilesh Gaikwad, Vineet Ahuja, Debasisa Mohanty, Soumen Basak, Rajesh S. Gokhale
eLife, 12, RP93273, 2023.
Research Area: Bile synthesis, inflammation, colitis, liver biology
2022
Genistein Combined Polysaccharide (GCP) Can Inhibit Intracrine Androgen Synthesis in Prostate Cancer Cells
Neelu Batra, Anhao Sam, Tibebe Woldemariam, George Talbott, Ralph W. de Vere White, Paramita M. Ghosh, Nilesh W. Gaikwad, Simeon O. Kotchoni, Ruth L. Vinall
Biomedicines, 8(8), 282, 2022.
Research Area: Androgens, prostate cancer cells, steroid metabolism
Dedication, Termination and Balché: Ritual Drinks in an Ulúa Marble Vase from the Ancient Maya City of Pacbitun, Belize
Adam King, Sheldon Skaggs, Terry G. Powis, Christina M. Luke, George J. Micheletti, Kong F. Cheong, Nilesh W. Gaikwad
Archaeology of Food & Foodways, 1(1), 2022.
Research Area: Archaeological residue analysis, ritual drinks, food biomarkers
2021
Production Matters: Organic Residue Evidence for Late Precolumbian Datura-Making in the Central Arkansas River Valley
Shawn P. Lambert, Timothy K. Perttula, Nilesh W. Gaikwad
Advances in Archaeological Practice, 10(2), 149–159, 2021.
Research Area: Archaeological residue analysis, Datura biomarkers
The 5α-reductase inhibitor finasteride reduces opioid self-administration in animal models of opioid use disorder
Bosse GD, Cadeddu R, Floris G, Farero RD, Vigato E, Lee SJ, Zhang T, Nilesh W. Gaikwad, Keefe KA, Phillips PE, Bortolato M, Peterson RT
Journal of Clinical Investigation, 131(10), e143990, 2021.
Research Area: Neurosteroids, finasteride, opioid-use animal models
Prediction of neonatal morbidity and very preterm delivery using maternal steroid biomarkers in early gestation
A.S. Patil, C. A. Grotegut, N. W. Gaikwad, S. D. Dowden, D. M. Haas
PLoS ONE, 16(1), e0243585, 2021.
Research Area: Maternal steroid biomarkers, pregnancy, early gestation
2020
Aromatase deficiency in hematopoietic cells improves glucose tolerance in male mice through skeletal muscle-specific effects
Katya B. Rubinow, Laura J. den Hartigh, Leela Goodspeed, Shari Wang, Orhan K. Oz
PLoS ONE, 2020. Published January 23, 2020.
Research Area: Tissue estrogen measurement, aromatase biology, glucose metabolism, skeletal muscle metabolism
GSL Contribution: Measurement of tissue estrogen concentrations
Bileome: The bile acid metabolome of rat
Nilesh W. Gaikwad
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 533(3), 458–466, 2020.
Research Area: Bileomics, bile acid metabolomics, LC-MS/MS
2018
Absorbed Residue Evidence for Prehistoric Datura Use in the American Southeast and Western Mexico
Adam King, Terry G. Powis, Kong F. Cheong, B. Deere, R. Pickering, E. Singleton, Nilesh W. Gaikwad
Advances in Archaeological Practice, 6(4), 312–327, 2018.
Research Area: Archaeological residue analysis, Datura biomarkers
The use and domestication of Theobroma cacao during the mid-Holocene in the upper Amazon
Sonia Zarrillo, Nilesh W. Gaikwad, Claire Lanaud, Francisco Valdez, Terry Powis, Christopher Viot, Louis Grivetti, Olivier Fouet, Xavier Argout, Isabelle Lesur, Hélène Vignes, Erwan Guichoux, Franck Salin, Maarten Pirson, Rey Loor Solorzano, Patrick Severts, Julio Hurtado, Alexandra Yepez, Michael Blake
Nature Ecology & Evolution, 2, 1879–1888, 2018.
Author Contribution: Sonia Zarrillo, Nilesh W. Gaikwad, and Claire Lanaud contributed equally as joint first authors.
Research Area: Cacao biomarkers, archaeobotany, food biomarkers, organic residue analysis
2017
The steroid metabolome in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder during GnRH agonist-induced ovarian suppression: Effects of estradiol and progesterone addback
Tuong Vi Nguyen, John M. Reuter, Nilesh W. Gaikwad, Daniel Rotroff, HR Bucera, Alison Motsinger-Reif, Chris P. Smith, Lynnette K. Nieman, David R. Rubinow, Rima Kaddurah-Daouk, Peter J. Schmidt
Translational Psychiatry, 7(8), e1193, 2017.
Author Contribution: Tuong Vi Nguyen, John M. Reuter, and Nilesh W. Gaikwad contributed equally as joint first authors.
Research Area: Steroid metabolome, PMDD, estradiol, progesterone
Media Coverage
GSL-supported publications have received attention from major science and news outlets.
Cacao Domestication Research
The 2018 Nature Ecology & Evolution cacao domestication paper received broad media coverage, including:
- BBC
- Nature
- Scientific American
- The Guardian
The 2024 Scientific Reports cacao domestication paper was also covered by:
- Reuters
- USNews
Research Areas Supported by GSL
GSL analytical services have supported research in multiple areas, including:
- Steroidomics and steroid hormone profiling
- Bileomics and bile acid metabolomics
- Neurosteroid and allopregnanolone analysis
- Estrogen and androgen metabolism
- Maternal and reproductive steroid biomarkers
- Cancer biology and intracrine steroid metabolism
- Food biomarkers and cacao biomarker analysis
- Archaeological residue analysis
- LC-MS/MS and UPLC-MS/MS method development
Work With GSL
Need specialized steroidomics, bileomics, neurosteroid, food biomarker, or metabolomics analysis for your research project?
Gaikwad Steroidomics Lab provides targeted LC-MS/MS and UPLC-MS/MS analytical services for academic, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, nutrition, toxicology, and archaeology research collaborations.