Our lab investigates broad aspects of fundamental metabolic and energetic processes in mammals that are necessary for cell survival and specific biological function. We combine and apply a variety of biochemical, cellular, genetic, chemical biology, metabolic and screening approaches both in cell culture and whole animals to identify the molecular mechanisms by which mammalian cells sense, communicate, and respond to nutrients. As an example, we are pursuing chemical biology approaches to identify small compounds involved in nutrient sensing and metabolic reprogramming in a variety of mammalian cell types.

Studies from our group have identified new basic and evolutionary conserved metabolic circuitries within the PGC1 pathways that involve nutrient signaling to gene expression programs associated with cellular metabolic reprogramming. Components of these circuitries are dysregulated in metabolic diseases, cancer, and age-associated diseases and represent therapeutic targets. Our research program pursues fundamental biological and disease-relevant questions such as:

1- Nutrient Sensing and Cell Biology- What are the molecular components that sense and transmit nutrient signals to reprogram mammalian cells?

2- Mitochondrial Biology- What are the molecular components that sense signals to coordinate the supply of proteins for mitochondrial biogenesis, dynamics and function?

3- Cancer Metabolism- What are the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying metabolic reprogramming and plasticity in tumor cells?