
Western lifestyle has transformed obesity into an alarming epidemic. Of particular concern are the concurrent and parallel increases in the prevalence of pathological conditions associated with obesity, such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The pathophysiology of obesity-induced insulin resistance is attributable to the ectopic deposition of fat in liver, muscle and pancreas, and the increase in adipose tissue inflammation. Our group is interested in the molecular mechanisms implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Our research lines include the study of fatty-acid metabolism in:
- Obesity-induced insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (liver and white and brown adipose tissue)
- Appetite (hypothalamus)
- Development of potential new treatments for obesity, type 2 diabetes and cancer, through structural studies of CPT1-related drugs.
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (What we offer?)
Mitochondrial bioenergetics (Seahorse) in cultured cells and adipose tissue explants
Tissue, body and cell culture thermogenesis (thermographic camera)
CPT1A flox mice
Adenovirus, lentivirus and AAVs of GFP, CPT1A and CPT1AM
Fatty acid and glucose oxidation
CPT1 enzymatic activity