The Regulation of nutrient metabolism group focuses on the areas of integrative physiology, metabolic biochemistry and endocrinology in the context of health and disease.
Our focus
Our group is interested in understanding how glucose, fat and amino acid metabolism are regulated and integrated at the whole-body, organ and cellular level.
An area of particular interest is examining the regulation of liver, adipose, and skeletal muscle metabolism by the pancreatic hormones insulin and glucagon. Given the central role of mitochondria in all facets of cellular metabolism, we also have a strong interest in mitochondrial biology. The group employs a range of experimental approaches in humans, rodents and cell systems to understand metabolic regulation in response to challenges such as exercise and dietary manipulation. We employ a broad range of laboratory based techniques including molecular biology approaches to manipulate gene expression, and microscopy-based imaging techniques.
Our expertise
Our group also specialises in utilising our in-house mass spectrometry based platforms (GC-MS and HPLC-MS) to perform quantitative-targeted metabolomics and biochemical flux analysis using stable isotope tracers. Our group’s research is particularly relevant for conditions with metabolic underpinnings such as insulin resistance, diabetes, fatty liver and cardiovascular disease.
Our research
This group covers:
- Examining the regulation of glucose, fat and amino acid metabolism
- Investigating how the pancreatic hormones (insulin and glucagon) influence liver, muscle and adipose tissue metabolism
- Studying how phospholipids regulate mitochondrial biology
- Examining how dietary challenges and exercise influence metabolism, insulin action and mitochondrial function
- Utilising mass spectrometry approaches to conduct targeted metabolomics and biochemical flux analysis using stable isotope tracers.