Our research is focused on the transcriptional pathways that underlie metabolic diseases like obesity and Type 2 diabetes. In particular, we have a longstanding interest in using genomic and epigenomic approaches to identify novel transcription factors and pathways that regulate processes such as adipogenesis, lipid handling, insulin resistance, and metabolic memory. Our ultimate goal is to define novel targets that can be manipulated to improve outcomes in metabolic disease.
While attending the 46th meeting of the Spanish Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SEBBM) as a keynote speaker, Evan was interviewed by La Voz de Galicia about the lab’s work. You can read the article here (subscription required).
Frankie Heyward’s paper was just published in Nature Communications. Frankie used cell-type specific profiling of gene expression and chromatin state in AgRP neurons to predict novel transcriptional mediators of leptin action. Surprisingly, his data suggested that IRF3 might work downstream of leptin, and functional studies proved this to be true. This important work illuminates how leptin induces satiety, and also expands the known metabolic repertoire of IRF3. Congratulations, Frankie!
Congratulations to Shuai Yan — his paper was just published in Nature Communications. Shuai showed that IRF3 causes insulin resistance in adipocytes independent of any effect on body weight. The mechanism is via induction of an enzyme called AIG1, which encodes a hydrolase that destroys insulin-sensitizing lipids called FAHFAs. FAHFAs are known to reduce inflammation, and Shuai’s work reveals the other side of the coin: inflammation (though IRF3) reduces FAHFAs.
Evan wrote a comprehensive review article on interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) in metabolism, with help from Zunair Ahmad and Wahab Kahloan. It just came out in Nature Reviews Endocrinology.
We are delighted to welcome our newest team member, Yangmian Yuan, who joins us as a postdoctoral research fellow. Yangmian recently earned her PhD from the College of Life Sciences at Wuhan University, China, with a dissertation focusing on adipose tissue energy metabolism.
Lab alumnus Frankie Heyward and his wife Evida recently welcomed their first child Evie Amera Heyward into the world. Congratulations Frankie and Evida!
