Metabolism & Metabolic Disorders

The Metabolism & Metabolic Disorders interdisciplinary track focuses on the normal regulation and dysregulation of metabolic processes involving cellular macromolecules including carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. Training and research efforts are designed to expand knowledge of these processes at fundamental molecular and cellular levels, and to apply this knowledge to organ and whole body physiology. Research interests of faculty participants range from genetic approaches using model experimental systems to analyses of common human metabolic disorders including dyslipidemia, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity. Members of this track have extensive research and clinical experience with animal and human models of these disorders. A wide array of state-of-the-art in vitro and in vivo techniques is available to unravel mechanisms of hormone action in muscle, liver, the adipocyte, etc., and to examine the roles of redox systems and energy balance in the development of chronic inflammatory diseases. Elucidation of the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and impaired beta cell function is a major interest of several faculty members.

The track leaders, along with their contact information, are: