Welcome to the Kim Lab

Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism – Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center / Harvard Medical School

The global rise in obesity and type 2 diabetes presents one of the most critical health challenges of our time. Our laboratory is dedicated to elucidating the fundamental molecular mechanisms underlying metabolic homeostasis. We focus on how communication breakdowns between the brain and peripheral tissues lead to insulin resistance and metabolic dysregulation.

Our ultimate goal is to translate these molecular discoveries into novel therapeutic strategies for metabolic syndrome.

Our Core Research Areas

• Central Regulation of Metabolism (Brain-Body Axis) We investigate the central nervous system's role in energy balance, specifically focusing on the hypothalamus. A key area of our research is the Leptin-LRP1 axis. We have identified that LRP1 (LDL receptor-related protein 1) is crucial for leptin signaling, and its dysfunction contributes to "leptin resistance"—a hallmark of obesity.

• Molecular Brakes in Insulin Signaling (ROCK1) Insulin resistance is a primary driver of type 2 diabetes. Our work has established Rho-kinase 1 (ROCK1) as a critical negative regulator of insulin action. By studying ROCK1 in muscle, liver, and adipose tissues, we aim to understand how this "molecular brake" affects glucose uptake and systemic metabolism.

• Inter-organ Crosstalk & Pathogenesis Metabolic diseases are not isolated to a single organ. We utilize tissue-specific knockout mouse models and advanced physiological techniques to map the complex signaling networks between the liver, muscle, fat, and brain. Understanding this crosstalk is essential for identifying new drug targets.