Our group is interested in understanding the fundamental mechanisms involved in the development and dysfunction of metabolic organs. We are studying perturbations in organ cellular morphology, function, and cross-talk under metabolic imbalance. We are also investigating how differences in sex, diet, and age contribute to organ dysfunction and influence the severity of metabolic disease. Our goal is to provide novel insights into how organ systems maintain physiological homeostasis as well as uncover pathogenic mechanisms underlying disease.
For most of our studies, we make use of the powerful and elegant genetic model Drosophila melanogaster that allows in vivo investigation of organ function and inter-organ communication, at both cellular and systemic levels. Our current focus is examining mechanisms regulating adipose tissue and liver (fat body and oenocyte) dysfunction in obesity. We utilize a powerful interdisciplinary approach by combining genetic data from human studies to generate Drosophila disease models.
We use a variety of techniques including: live in-situ imaging, confocal microscopy, biochemical and metabolic assays, immunohistochemistry, nutritional and behavioural assays, and molecular biology.
Our lab is part of the Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences at the University of Edinburgh. We collaborate extensively with labs within Edinburgh and outside.
We thank the following organisations for supporting our research:
