The Mitsche lab studies how alteration of lipid flux effects the progression of metabolic syndrome, including fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The lab combines cutting-edge mass spectrometry technology with biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetics to understand the underlying causes of why over nutrition results in poorer health.
The first major focus of the lab is the development and implementation of stable isotope tracing methods. Using modern mass spectrometry, we have improved the signal-to-noise ratio of MS based stable isotope tracing such that the sensitivity is comparable to radio-isotope tracing while maintaining the specificity of modern lipidomics. While we are still developing the analytical and interpretation tools for this application, we are applying it to animal models of metabolic disease and soon will be transitioning to human studies.
The second major focus is to understand how alterations in fatty acid sorting affect lipid homeostasis. Numerous genes associated with metabolic diseases are associated with the assembly and remodeling of lipids. We generate animal models of these enzymes and then study how they alter lipid metabolism. We are currently focused on remodeling of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids between phospholipids and triglycerides.
Overall the main focus of the lab is to understand the mechanism for the progression of metabolic disease so that better nutritional and pharmacological therapies can be developed to improve health.