Proper control of metabolism is required for essentially every basic biological process. Altered metabolism at the cellular level contributes to several serious diseases including inborn errors of metabolism (the result of inherited genetic defects in metabolic enzymes that lead to chemical imbalances in children) and cancer. Our laboratory seeks to characterize these metabolic disorders, understand how they compromise tissue function, develop methods to monitor metabolism in vivo and design therapies to restore normal metabolism and improve health.
The Elmquist laboratory uses mouse genetics to identify circuits in the nervous system that regulate energy balance and glucose homeostasis. We have developed unique mouse models allowing neuron-specific manipulation of genes regulating these processes.
Our laboratory is focused on the molecular control of lipid metabolism, particularly in the intestinal tract. We employ a variety of disciplines including molecular and cell biology, mouse models and organoid technologies.
The Gospocic group studies how epigenetic pathways and gene expression regulate brain plasticity in the context of social behavior and aging by working with a unique ant species Harpegnathos saltator. We take a multidisciplinary approach and combine functional genomics, biochemistry, and behavioral assays in H. saltator, as well as the conventional Drosophila and mouse models to expedite genetic screening and provide evolutionary context to identified epigenetic pathways.
Jan’s Lab is interested in understanding the dynamics of protein-RNA complexes during ribosome biogenesis. We are particularly focused on the roles of ATPases in coordinating ribosomal RNA processing and remodeling events, as well as the importance of these enzymes in signaling between the ribosome biogenesis pathway and the cell cycle machinery.
Bacteria and phages are in everlasting conflict – constantly devising new genes, systems, and mechanisms to keep pace with their competitors. The Forsberg lab studies this “evolutionary arms race”, using high-powered selections to unearth new functions and careful experiments to reveal their mechanisms.
While cardiac and thoracic surgeries are often life-saving and may invoke life-changing improvements in health related quality of life, many patients also experience varying degrees of end organ injury and associated complications that can persist in the years following surgery. In 2014 Amanda Fox, M.D., M.P.H. initiated a genomics, biomarkers and outcomes research group at UTSW. This group values multi-specialty collaborations between anesthesiologists, surgeons cardiologists, radiologists, critical care physicians, biostatisticians, geneticists, bench scientists, and many other specialties.
The Fragile X Syndrome Research Center is a team of investigators from UT Southwestern and the University of California at Riverside. The Center supports three projects representing a multilevel, integrated approach that tests mechanisms of sensory neocortical dysfunction in fragile X syndrome (FXS) and pharmacological approaches to reduce the deficits.
Obesity and metabolic diseases have been increasing at the alarming rate and threatening our health and economy over the world. However, we still don’t know much about how our metabolic homeostasis is regulated. Understanding the mechanism underlying the regulation of metabolism is a fundamental step towards designing new treatments for obesity and its associated diseases, and many other metabolic diseases
