Lipid metabolism in physiology
Alessandra Ferrari, Professor
Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology
Applications for Fall 2025 are closed for this project.
The complex genetic and dietary cues contribute to the development of obesity, but how these are integrated on a molecular level is incompletely understood. This project explores the function of LPCAT3, an enzyme involved in phospholipid remodeling and its influence on the types of fatty acids that are incorporated into membrane phospholipids. LPCAT3 enables the formation of large triglyceride droplets that are resistant to lipolysis. In mice lacking adipocyte LPCAT3 or fed diets with reduced omega-6 PUFAs, triglyceride storage becomes impaired, leading to ectopic fat deposition, insulin resistance, and compensatory activation of a futile lipid cycle that increases energy expenditure. It will be critical for healthy adipose tissue storage and energy balance.
Role: Students will gain proficiency with cross disciplinary training of molecular biology, metabolism, mice handling, and computational techniques with the goal of becoming an independent researcher. Many more skills can be taught depending how engaged and eager the student is to learn.
Qualifications: Undergraduates seeking to apply should be eager to learn, have high attention to detail, and highly motivated and organized. Although previous research experience is not required, experience in working with molecular experiments in both vivo and in vitro model systems would be considered valuable. Significant hands on mentorship will be given and therefore the amount of time the student has to commit will be taken into consideration. Students will learn how to perform genotyping, DNA/RNA/protein extraction, qPCR, western blot, and cell culture.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Jinse Kim, Post-Doc
Hours: to be negotiated
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