Our Lab
The main focus in our laboratory is
the identification and physiological characterization of
adipocyte-specific gene products and the elucidation of
pathways that
are an integral part of the complex set of reactions that
drive
adipogenesis. The hope is to unravel novel mechanisms and
identify
novel proteins that could serve as potential links between the
adipocyte and the process of whole body energy homeostasis,
thereby
defining novel targets for pharmacological intervention and
further
define the role of adipose tissue as an endocrine tissue.
Until
recently, adipose tissue has been considered to be a mere
storage
compartment of triglycerides. It is now becoming clear that
adipocytes
are highly responsive to extracellular stimuli, play a central
role in
overall energy homeostasis and are also essential for certain
aspects
of the immune system.
