The Committee on Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition - Laboratories

There are over forty laboratories conducting cutting edge basic and/or clinical research in metabolism associated with the Committee on Molecular Metabolism & Nutrition (CMMN). This presents some marvelous training opportunities in one of the few graduate programs in the United States specializing in metabolism. Here is a tour of selected research areas conducted in laboratories affiliated to the CMMN –

Adipogenesis – The generation of white adipose tissue by the differentiation of adipocytes has profound consequences for obesity and obesity-linked type 2 diabetes. However, the mechanism of adipocyte differentiation at the molecular level is only partly understood. Several of the CMMN faculty are investigating signal transduction and transcription factors that facilitate the process. Matthew Brady, Ronald Cohen, Dianne Deplewski, Yan Chun Li.

Autoimmunity – Several metabolic diseases are caused by autoimmunity including Celiac disease, inflammatory bowel diseases, and type 1 diabetes. Some of the CMMN faculty are researching into the molecular pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and how this might be prevented. Marisa Alegre, Alexander Chervonsky, Anita Chong, Yang-Xin Fu, Bana Jabri, Carol Semrad.

Childhood disease – Metabolic changes occur during puberty and childhood development.  Some of the CMMN faculty are investigating how gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), insulin and other peptide hormones interact at the molecular and signaling level to control gene expression, growth and affect metabolism. Colleen Buggs, Helen Kim, Daniel Spergel. In addition, another group of faculty are examining the problems of childhood obesity. Deborah Burnet, Rebecca Lipton, Robert Rosenfield, Mindy Schwartz.

Clinical research – There are some excellent human metabolic studies being conducted by faculty of the CMMN in the areas of obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), dyslipoproteinemias, sleep and circadian rhythms and thyroid disease. George Bakris, Deborah Burnet, David Ehrmann, Angelo Scanu, Esra Tasali, Eve Van Cauter, Roy Weiss.

Channel/Exchanger biology – Ion transport across cell membranes via specific channels can play several roles in metabolism and nutrition from gut absorption to regulation of insulin secretion. Several CMMN faculty are examining the functional role of certain ion channels in specific cells at the molecular level. Eugene Chang, Mark Musch, Deborah Nelson, Louis Philipson, Michael Roe, Daniel Spergel.

Digestive disease – Of course metabolism and nutrition are intricately linked to digestive diseases such as Celiac disease, Chrohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease malabsorption, electrolyte imbalance, and colon cancer. Clara Abraham, Marc Bissonnette, David Boone, Eugene Chang, Mark Musch, Carol Semrad, Jerrold Turner.

Diabetes complications – Unless diabetes is well controlled, diabetic complications can set in, some of which can be devastating and debilitating. These include blindness, kidney disease, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, micro and macro-vascular complications. Several of the CMMN faculty are examining the molecular basis and genetic susceptibility of diabetic complications. George Bakris, Graeme Bell, Nancy Cox, Michael Grassi.

Epithelial cell biology – Epithelial cells play an important role in many organs, particularly the gut and kidney where they mediate nutrient absorption and filtration. Some members of the CMMN faculty focus their research on epithelial cell function at the molecular level. Mark Musch, Gary Toback, Jerrold Turner.

Genetics and Epidemiology – There is a genetic basis behind the susceptibility of acquiring several metabolic diseases including obesity and diabetes. Several faculty in the CMMN are actively investigating this, using both genetic and epidemiological approaches. Graeme Bell, Nancy Cox, Rebecca Lipton, Anna Di Rienzo.

Inflammation – plays a significant role in the many digestive and metabolic diseases, including the pathogenesis of type-1 and -2 diabetes. Several of the CMMN faculty are investigating the inflammatory signaling pathways at the molecular level. Maria Alegre, Clara Abraham, David Boone, Mark Musch, Catherine Reardon-Alulis, Christopher Rhodes, Xiao Jian Sun.

Pancreatic Islet Biology – A key anabolic hormone is insulin which is produced in the beta-cells of pancreatic islets.  A critical loss of these cells marks the onset of type-1 and -2 diabetes. Several of the CMMN faculty currently examine molecular mechanisms that control nutrient regulated insulin production and secretion, as well as islet cell growth and regeneration. Graeme Bell, Manami Hara, Louis Philipson, Victoria Prince, Christopher Rhodes, Michael Roe, Gene Webb, Barton Wicksteed.

Insulin Resistance (Perhaps make more general such as Signal Transduction and include)– is associated with obesity and the pathogenesis of type-2 diabetes. Some of the CMMN faculty are investigating insulin signal transduction pathways at the molecular level to see how these might go awry in obesity/diabetes. Graeme Bell, Matthew Brady, Ronald Cohen, Christopher Rhodes, Xiao Jian Sun, Roy Weiss.

Lipoproteins – play a key role in transporting lipid in the body and their profile be adversely altered in metabolic disease, including obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. The focus of some of the CMMN faculty is one the biochemistry and molecular biology of lipoproteins. Catherine Reardon-Alulis, Godfrey Getz, Angelo Scanu.

Signal Transduction – as well as those CMMN faculty examining insulin resistance mentioned above, other CMMN faculty are investigating other signal transduction pathways, at the molecular level, involved in immune and inflammatory responses, as well as regulation of insulin production and secretion. Clara Abraham, David Boone, Louis Philipson, Christopher Rhodes, Michael Roe, Barton Wicksteed.

Sleep – and circadian rhythms have a strong influence over metabolic homeostasis. Changes in sleep patterns can influence endocrine and metabolic hormone systems, and certain pathological states including insulin resistance. A renown group of sleep researchers are affiliated to the CMMN. Plamen Panev, Esra Tasali, Eve Van Cauter.

Thyroid disease – Thyroid hormone is key to control of metabolic homeostasis. Some CMMN faculty are examining the molecular basis of thyroid hormone production and action. Ronald Cohen, Roy Weiss.

Vitamins – are key nutrients and can influence metabolism. Some of the CMMN faculty are involved in investigating how Vitamin D, for example, influences calcium homeostasis and metabolism at the molecular level. Murray Favus, Yan Chun Li.