Main Research Interests
​in MSCSL

My research interests lie in the molecular mechanisms of insulin signaling. Insulin is the primary anabolic hormone in the body, and is released from the pancreas after a meal to stimulate glucose uptake into muscle, liver and fat. The relevance of insulin signaling pathways is illustrated by the fact that an absence of insulin production, or deregulation of insulin signaling in tissues such as liver, leads to the disease states termed type I and type II diabetes, respectively. 
PI3K/PKB Signaling
​
Research in my laboratory focused on a family of proteins that are key elements in the insulin-signaling pathway. Critical steps in insulin action include the initial phosphorylation of adapter proteins associated with the insulin receptor and subsequent activation of the Class Ia phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). One of the key components in this process is protein kinase B (PKB/Akt), which couples the activation of insulin receptors to intracellular processes controlling glucose uptake, cell growth, cell survival (anti-apoptosis), angiogenesis and gene regulation.
Metabolic Syndrome and Cancer
​
Overweight and obesity are now linked to at least 11 cancers. Studies suggest that this link reflects influences of chronic inflammation and elevated levels of hormones involved in metabolic processes, like insulin. But you can be a normal weight and still have the metabolic issues associated with obesity.

About 1 in 3 adults have metabolic syndrome in US. This is defined by the presence of three or more of the following:
  • high blood sugar
  • high blood pressure
  • low HDL (“good”) cholesterol
  • high triglycerides
  • too much fat around the waist
This clustering of risk factors doubles risk of heart disease and increases risk of type 2 diabetes five-fold. Research also links metabolic syndrome with 20% to more than 60% increase in risk of several cancers, such as liver, colorectal, endometrial and postmenopausal breast.
Screening for Active Compound
to control the lipid metabolism​

Antioxidant
​

Antioxidants that are reducing agents can also act as pro-oxidants. For example, vitamin C has antioxidant activity when it reduces oxidizing substances such as hydrogen peroxide, however, it will also reduce metal ions that generate free radicals through the Fenton reaction.

Inhibitor for Lipogenesis

The inhibition of lipogenesis occurs through the down regulation of fatty acid and triglyceride gene expression. Through the promotion of fatty acid oxidation and lipogenesis inhibition, leptin was found to control the release of stored glucose from adipose tissues.

Activator for Lipolysis

Lipolysisis induced by several hormones, including glucagon, epinephrine, norepinephrine, growth hormone, atrial natriuretic peptide, brain natriuretic peptide, and cortisol.