Research interests in the Eun Ji Shin Lab include clinical research on obesity and the effect o...n GI neoplasia/malignancy. view more

The Frederick Anokye-Danso Lab investigates the biological pathways at work in the separation o...f human pluripotent stem cells into adipocytes and pancreatic beta cells. We focus in particular on determinant factors of obesity and metabolic dysfunction, such as the P72R polymorphism of p53. We also conduct research on the reprogramming of somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells using miRNAs. view more

Work in the Hsin-Chieh Yeh Lab focuses on clinical trials and cohort studies of diabetes, obesi...ty and behavioral intervention, cancer and hypertension. Recent investigations have focused on novel risk factors and complications related to obesity and type 2 diabetes, particularly lung function, smoking and cancer. We recently co-led a randomized clinical trial of tailored dietary advice for consumption of dietary supplements to lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular disease risk factors in hypertensive urban African Americans. view more

Research in the J. Hunter Young Lab focuses on the genetic epidemiology and physiology of cardi...ovascular disease and its risk factors, especially hypertension, diabetes and obesity. Current activities include an observational study of hypertension among African Americans; a genetic epidemiology study of worldwide cardiovascular disease susceptibility patterns; and several population-based observational studies of cardiovascular and renal disease. A recent focus group study found that changes in housing and city policies might lead to improved environmental health conditions for public housing residents. view more

Research in the Kimberly Gudzune Lab examines how obesity affects patient-provider relationship...s and how physical and social environments impact body weight. We recently conducted a cohort study of married couples and found that having a spouse who become obese nearly doubles one's risk of becoming obese. view more

The Wolfgang Laboratory is interested in understanding the metabolic properties of neurons and ...glia at a mechanistic level in situ. Some of the most interesting, enigmatic and understudied cells in metabolic biochemistry are those of the nervous system. Defects in these pathways can lead to devastating neurological disease. Conversely, altering the metabolic properties of the nervous system can have surprisingly beneficial effects on the progression of some diseases. However, the mechanisms of these interactions are largely unknown.

We use biochemical and molecular genetic techniques to study the molecular mechanisms that the nervous system uses to sense and respond to metabolic cues. We seek to understand the neurometabolic regulation of behavior and physiology in obesity, diabetes and neurological disease.

Current areas of study include deconstructing neurometabolic pathways to understand the biochemistry of the nervous system and how these metabolic pathways impact animal behavior and physiology, metabolic heterogeneity and the evolution of metabolic adaptation. view more

Research in the Nicola Heller Lab focuses on the immunobiology of macrophages. Our team explore...s how these cells impact diseases with an inflammatory element, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and obesity. Using a variety of techniques, including molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, mouse models and more, we study the role of IL-4/IL-13 signaling in asthma and allergic disease, as well as the role of alternatively activated macrophages (AAM) in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation. Currently, we are researching the links between asthma and obesity, with a focus on the roles of gender and race. view more

The Nisa Maruthur Lab studies primary care; individualized medicine for the prevention and trea...tment of type 2 diabetes and obesity; pharmacogenomics of type 2 diabetes; and comparative effectiveness. view more

Hypertension in children is a major cause of disease, including early onset heart disease. Up t...o 25% of children who are overweight or obese have hypertension (high blood pressure), and children with obesity are at greater risk for having other cardiovascular disease risk factors such as high cholesterol and diabetes. The ReNEW Clinic at The Johns Hopkins University provides an innovative multidisciplinary approach to the evaluation and treatment of obesity-related hypertension to help prevent and treat cardiovascular disease. This clinic is designed for children with elevated blood pressure (prehypertension and hypertension) and a BMI at or above the 85th percentile. Many children in this clinic are enrolled in a longitudinal registry to help researchers learn how to better care for children with multiple risk factors for heart disease.

Read more about the ReNEW clinic: obesity-a-focus-on-hypertension">Childhood Obesity: A Focus on Hypertension

Work in the Philip Smith Lab explores several key topics within the field of sleep medicine. We... investigate the role of obesity and neural control in sleep-disordered breathing as well as the impact of metabolic function on sleep apnea. We also research the ways in which HIV and its treatments impact a patient’s sleep. Our studies have included the effects of HIV and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on both sleep and daytime function as well as the relationship between systemic inflammation and sleep apnea in men with HIV. view more

Research in the Roberto Salvatori Lab focuses on the genetic causes of isolated growth hormone ...deficiency (GHD), consequences of untreated GHD, and cortisol excess and deficiency. Current work explores GHD’s relation to obesity and indicates that Cushing's syndrome may be under-recognized in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. We recently took part in a retrospective, multicenter, international study to characterize a large series of pituitary gigantism patients, a condition that has not been studied previously in a standardized way. view more

The Barouch Lab is focused on defining the peripheral cardiovascular effects of the adipocytoki...ne leptin, which is a key to the understanding of obesity-related cardiovascular disease. Interestingly, many of the hormonal abnormalities seen in obesity are mimicked in heart failure. The research program will enhance the understanding of metabolic signaling in the heart, including the effects of leptin, exercise, sex hormones, and downstream signaling pathways on metabolism and cardiovascular function.

The lab also is working to determine the precise role of the “metabolic” beta-3 adrenergic receptor (ß3AR) in the heart and define the extent of its protective effect in obesity and in heart failure, including its role in maintaining nitric oxide synthase (NOS) coupling. Ultimately, this work will enable the exploration of a possible therapeutic role of ß3AR agonists and re-coupling of NOS in preventing adverse ventricular remodeling in obesity and in heart failure.

Lili Barouch, MD, is an associate professor of medicine in the Division of Cardiology and a member of the Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplantation group at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. view more

The Vsevolod Polotsky Lab conducts research on pulmonary diseases, including hypoxia and sleep ...apnea, with a focus on their relation to obesity and metabolic syndrome. Our studies have explored topics such as the effects of age, leptin and obesity on the upper airway; the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea, insulin resistance and steatohepatitis in severely obese patients; and the impact of intermittent hypoxia on diet-induced obesity. We also have a long-standing interest in critical care pulmonary medicine and have conducted research on various aspects of murine lung injury. view more