Our laboratory investigates regulation of metabolic and neuroendocrine functions. Some of questions we are interested in include: (1) what are hypothalamic neurons and gene products involved in the regulation of metabolism? (2) how are these hypothalamic neurons and gene expressions regulated under different nutritional conditions or during aging? (3) how do these neurons and gene products regulate metabolism and neuroendocrine functions? (4) what are mechanisms underlying the effects of caloric restriction on lifespan? By answering these questions, we hope to develop effective methods to prevent and treat metabolic disorders including obesity and diabetes as well as age-associated neuroendocrine impairments

Academic Achievements

• B.Sc. (Grassland Science) , Obihiro Univ. of Agriculture and Vet. Med., 1988
• M.Sc. (Animal Science), Miyazaki Univ., 1990
• Ph.D. (Physiology), Yokohama City Univ., 1994
• Research Associate (Neurobiology), Mt. Sinai School of Med., 1994-1999
• Instructor (Neurobiology), Mt. Sinai School of Med., 1999-2001
• Research Assistant Professor (Neurobiology), Mt. Sinai School of Med., 2001-2003
• Instructor (Endocrinology), Beth Israel Deaconess Med. Ctr./Harvard Med. Sch., 2003-2004
• Assistant Professor (Physiology), Univ. of Manitoba, 2004-

Research Interests

Our research is focused on the regulation of metabolic and neuroendocrine functions by the hypothalamus. During the last decade, it became clear that hypothalamic neurons that express the gene called proopiomelanocortin (POMC) play a critical role in the regulation of metabolism, and impairments in the melanocortin system are often associated with metabolic derangements. Therefore, we are currently interested in how the melanocortin system is integrated in the regulation of metabolic and neuroendocrine functions. Current projects include:

• Investigating the roles of hypothalamic POMC in the regulation of metabolism and neuroendocrine functions, and mechanisms underlying the actions of melanocortins? relationships with obesity, diabetes and aging.
• Investigating the mechanisms by which nutritional pathways mediate the regulation of hypothalamic POMC expression? identification of novel transcription factors.

Techniques being utilized in these studies include genetic engineering (transgenic mouse models and RNA interference), gene expression analysis, comprehensive analysis of metabolic parameters, and hypothalamic cell culture.

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