Metabolic Biology

The field of metabolic biology encompasses a broad spectrum of research focused on understanding the regulatory networks that control energy balance, nutrient metabolism, and disease susceptibility. Investigators in this area employ genetic models, molecular and metabolic profiling coupled with bioenergetics and computational approaches to uncover mechanisms driving cardiometabolic diseases. Dr. Chella Krishnan examines how genetic background and sex differences influence mitochondrial adaptations, shaping the risk of obesity, fatty liver disease, heart failure, and Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Perez-Tilve explores neuroendocrine signaling and gut-brain interactions that regulate body weight and glucose homeostasis. Dr. Ulrich-Lai investigates the impact of chronic stress on energy balance and metabolic disorders, while Dr. Drosatos focuses on lipid metabolism in cardiovascular disease, emphasizing cardiac energy homeostasis and heart failure. Dr. Gao studies post-transcriptional RNA metabolism in cardiac tissues, uncovering molecular pathways that drive cardiac hypertrophy, remodeling, and dysfunction. Together, their research advances the field of metabolic biology by identifying novel regulatory mechanisms that may inform the development of innovative therapeutic strategies for metabolic diseases.

PPN Metabolic Biology Labs:

Chella Krishnan Laboratory

The major research focus of the K Lab is to understand how host genetic background and sex differences influence mitochondrial (mal)adaptation and increase the susceptibility to several cardiometabolic diseases.

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Drosatos Laboratory

Our research investigates transcriptional regulation mechanisms that link cardiac stress with altered myocardial fatty acid and glucose metabolism.

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Gao Laboratory

The Gao Lab is focused on uncovering novel molecular mechanisms for the pathogenesis of cardiac diseases, including cardiac hypertrophy, remodeling, and dysfunction.

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Perez-Tilve Laboratory

Our laboratory focuses on understanding the mechanisms involved in the neuroendocrine control of energy balance.

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Ulrich-Lai Laboratory

Our research goal is to identify the neural and hormonal substrates that are responsible for the interactions among diet, obesity, and stress.

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