Investigating the role of bile acids as hepatic nutrient sensors
David Moore, Professor
Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology
Check back for status
Bile acids (BA), the amphipathic and water-soluble end-products of cholesterol metabolism, are essential for the emulsification and subsequent absorption of dietary lipids and fat-soluble vitamins. BA are synthesized by the liver, stored in the gallbladder, and secreted into the lumen of the small intestine to solubilize lipids in food, and reabsorbed into the enterohepatic circulation. Because BA are cytotoxic at high concentrations, perturbations in BA metabolism are implicated in impaired nutrient absorption, cholestasis, hypercholesterolemia, and hepatic injury.
In addition to its canonical role as an emulsifier of dietary lipids, we hypothesize BA themselves are crucial signaling molecules that act as nutrient sensors. BA are endogenous agonists of the nuclear receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR), which is highly expressed in the mammalian liver, kidney, and intestine, and has been found to exert transcriptional effects on both glucose and lipid metabolism. We hope to elucidate the role bile acids serve in FXR-mediated nutrient sensing.
Role: Undergraduates are expected to actively participate lab meetings/journal clubs/discussion about our projects and learn/conduct molecular experiments with both in vivo and in vitro model systems such as DNA/RNA/Protein extraction, qPCR, Western Blot, cell culture, genotyping and so on.
Qualifications: Prior experience with molecular biology techniques and animal care/use are preferred but not essential.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Sungwoo Choi, Staff Researcher; Lucy Peng, Graduate Student
Hours: to be negotiated
Related website: http://nst.berkeley.edu/group/Moore-Lab
Biological & Health Sciences