Metabolism Interest Group
Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome X, and Cushings Syndrome are diseases characterized by inadequate regulation of nutrient uptake, use, and storage. Resulting imbalances in circulating glucose and lipid levels induce a wide arrange of health complications including hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart failure, susceptibility to infection, etc. These diseases affect multiple organ systems, and efforts to fully understand their pathogenesis will ultimately require teams of investigators with expertise in a wide range of scientific disciplines. To enhance understanding of these multifactorial disorders, the University of Utah has organized an interdisciplinary consortium of scientists performing basic and clinical research aimed at elucidating the physiological signals that control metabolic homeostasis. With support from the University of Utah's Departments of Biochemistry and Internal Medicine, the Metabolism Interest Group maintains a Metabolism Core Facility and a seminar program.
Metabolism Core Facility - The metabolism core facility provides expertise and instrumentation for performing automated, non-invasive analysis of several physiological and behavioral parameters in mice. Specifically, the facility maintains 4 metabolic chambers which allow one to measure oxygen consumption, CO2 evolution, heat generation, locomoter activity, food intake, water intake and related parameters in real time. For additional information please contact Robert Cooksey.
Metabolism Interest Group Seminar Series - The Metabolism Interest Group sponsors a weekly seminar program which includes both internal and external speakers. Meetings are held on Thursdays in room 6100 of the Eccles Institute of Human Genetics. A frequently updated seminar program can be found here.
Metabolism Interest Group Research Programs - Scientists participating in the Metabolism Interest Group have appointments throughout the basic and clinical departments at the U. of Utah School of Medicine.
Abel, Evan Dale, MD Ph.D.., Professor of Medicine and Biochemistry, (Internal Medicine/Endocrinology and Biochemistry). Research Interests – Insulin signaling and mitochondrial function in the heart.
Ayer, E. Donald, Ph.D., Professor of Oncological Sciences, (Oncological Sciences). Research Interests – Transcriptional regulation of metabolism.
Benjamin, Ivor, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Biochemistry, (Internal Medicine/Cardiology and Biochemistry). Research Interests – Reductive stress and heart failure.
Graham, Timothy E., M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine, (Internal Medicine/Endocrinology and Molecular Medicine).
Kaplan, Jerry Ph.D., Professor of Pathology, (Pathology). Research Interests – Regulation of Iron Metabolism
Leibold, Elizabeth, Ph.D., Professor of Medicine and Oncological Science, (Internal Medicine/Hematology and Oncological Science). Research Interests – Regulation of Cellular Iron Homeostasis
Lindsley, Janet E., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biochemistry, (Biochemistry). Research Interests – Intermediary Metabolism, Biochemistry education.
McClain, A. Donald, MD Ph.D., Professor of Medicine and Biochemistry, (Internal Medicine/Endocrinology and Biochemistry). Research Interests – Iron metabolism and diabetes, hexosamines and insulin resistance
Murtaugh, L. Charles, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Human Genetics, (Human Genetics). Research Interests – Development of the pancreas.
Rutter, Jared, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biochemistry, (Biochemistry). Research Interests – Kinase regulation of metabolism, Identification of novel mitochondrial targets
Shaw, Janet M., Ph.D., Professor of Biochemistry, (Biochemistry). Research Interests – Regulation of mitochondrial dynamics.
Symons, J. David, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Exercise and Sports Physiology and Internal (Internal Medicine/Endocrinology and College of Health). Research Interests – Insulin and Ceramide signaling in the vasculature.
Tantin, Dean, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pathology, (Pathology). Research Interests – Biology of Oct family of transcription factors.
Thummel, Carl Ph.D., Professor of Human Genetics, (Human Genetics). Research Interests – Hormonal regulation of metabolism in drosophila.
Wang, Li Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine, (Internal Medicine and Oncological Sciences). Research Interests – Nuclear receptor regulation of hepatic growth and metabolism
Winge, Dennis, Ph.D., Professor of Medicine and Biochemistry, (Internal Medicine/Hematology and Biochemistry). Research Interests – Regulation of mitochondrial enzymes
Yang, Tianxin, MD Ph.D., Associate Professor of Medicine and Physiology, (Internal Medicine/Nephrology and Physiology). Research Interests – PPARg signaling in the kidney.
*For a list of recent publications from the MIG Principal Investigators, click here
