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Investigators in the Aniket Sidhaye Lab focus on the mechanism of nuclear hormone receptor action—with an emphasis on thyroid hormone receptors and PPAR-gamma obesity—and transitional care of patients with type 1 diabetes.
The Elizabeth Selvin Lab examines the intersection of epidemiology, clinical policy and public health policy. One of our key goals is to use the findings of epidemiologic research to inform the screening, diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and kidney disease. Much of our work looks at biomarkers and diagnostics related to diabetes and diabetes complications. Our findings — linking hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) to diabetic complications and identifying the role of A1c in diabetes diagnosis — have influenced clinical practice guidelines.
Research interests in the Eun Ji Shin Lab include clinical research on obesity and the effect on GI neoplasia/malignancy.
The Frederick Anokye-Danso Lab investigates the biological pathways at work in the separation of 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.
The Gerard E. Mullin Lab studies nutrition and the way that diet affects weight loss. In particular, we study how having an imbalanced gut microbiome may prevent weight loss in certain people.
Work in the Hsin-Chieh Yeh Lab focuses on clinical trials and cohort studies of diabetes, obesity 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.
Research in the J. Hunter Young Lab focuses on the genetic epidemiology and physiology of cardiovascular 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.
Research in the Jeanne Clark Lab covers a wide range of fields, employing various research techniques, methods and procedures to generate and disseminate the knowledge required to prevent disease and its consequences. Our most recent research program, Look AHEAD, focuses on the health of overweight volunteers with type 2 diabetes. We are examining the long-term effects of an intensive lifestyle intervention program designed to achieve and maintain weight loss by decreased caloric intake and increased physical activity.
Research in the Kimberly Gudzune Lab examines how obesity affects patient-provider relationships 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.
The Mariana Lazo Lab studies the epidemiology of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, diabetes and obesity in adults. We also study the effects of moderate alcohol consumption on liver and cardiovascular diseases.
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 beh...avior 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 explores 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.
The Nisa Maruthur Lab studies primary care; individualized medicine for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity; pharmacogenomics of type 2 diabetes; and comparative effectiveness.
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.
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.
The Sheng Wu Laboratory studies the insulin/androgen receptor (AR) actions on the developmental and regulation of the reproductive and metabolic functions. We use multiple animal models (obesity, androgen implantation, and conditional knockout) to investigate the pathophysiology of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and the developmental factors and their target tissues that contribute to PCOS manifestation.
Research in the Susheel Patil Lab focuses on the origination and development obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Specifically, we’re interested in how obesity, adipokines and inflammation affect mechanisms that contribute to upper airway collapsibility. We’ve studied various patient groups affected by OSA, including patients who've had bariatric surgery, are HIV-infected or have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
The Barouch Lab is focused on defining the peripheral cardiovascular effects of the adipocytokine 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
Our research interest is crystalized into three main areas:
1. Type-1 diabetes - Our focus is on understanding how the Fas death pathway regulates the disease and how extracted information can be used to protect high risk individuals and those with new-onset disease.
2. Type 2 diabetes and Obesity - Our lab is studying the role of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) in regulating body fat and glucose clearance.
3. Double negative ??T cells - Our studies suggest a critical role for these cells in protecting kidneys from Ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI). Our current focus is understanding their origin and physiological functions.
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.
Research in the Youfa Wang Lab is primarily focused on exploring the social, environmental, individual, behavioral and biological causes of childhood obesity. Our goal is to develop new methods for obesity intervention while investigating the role of lifestyle factors, such as diet, on a patient’s risk of chronic diseases.
The Zhiping Li Lab focuses on the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and immune-mediated liver injury. Our active research focuses on the dietary modulation of gut bacteria, liver innate immune system and their regulation on tissue injury and repair. Clinical research from the lab focuses on cirrhotic ascites, liver transplant, hepatocellular carcinoma and immune-mediated liver diseases as well as endoscopic techniques and interventions.
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