The modern world is in the midst of an obesity epidemic, which has caused a dramatic increase in people affected by obesity-related disorders including Type-2 Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and dyslipidemia. A particularly worrying trend is that children and adolescents are also becoming increasingly obese and consequently are succumbing to metabolic diseases that a decade ago only occurred in adults.
To better understand the link between adiposity and metabolic diseases, investigators in the Department of Biochemistry are studying the complex cross-talks occurring among the various organs and tissues that regulate endocrine signaling and nutrients metabolism. This includes attempting to identify the molecular mechanisms that contribute to the physiological control of metabolic homeostasis within each tissue as well as contributing to a better understanding of cells and tissues adaptation to metabolic stress. In particular, our research focuses on the biology of the adipose tissue, including mechanistic studies on adipocyte biology, mitochondrial function, developmental origins of adipocytes, mechanisms of adipose tissue remodeling, characterization of adipogenesis, and cross-talk between adipocytes and immune cells.
Faculty conducting research in this area:
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Stephen Farmer
Professor
Growth and differentiation of cells, adipose tissue biology
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Alla Grishok
Associate Professor
Gene regulation by RNA and chromatin
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Stefan Isaac
Assistant Professor
Mitochondrial genome packaging and regulation
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Matthew D. Layne
Associate Professor
Assistant Dean of ResearchAdipose tissue fibrosis, mechanotransduction, & EDS syndrome
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Valentina Perissi
Associate Professor
Genomic Regulation of Metabolism, Nuclear-Mitochondria Communication