Our research program focuses on the regulation of adipose tissue development, function, and energy homeostasis. Adipose tissue is categorized into two types: white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT). In general, white adipose tissue expands massively during obesity and aging with lipid accumulation. Conversely, brown fat, a distinct adipose tissue dissipates energy in the form of heat through uncoupled respiration. Increasing the activity of brown fat is considered an attractive therapeutic strategy to help reduce obesity and associated metabolic disease. Specifically, conversion of white to brown fat phenotype (brown-like/beige cells) is correlated with protection against metabolic disease. As reported, Early B cell factor 2 (EBF2) is a key transcription factor in brown fat development. However, the mechanism(s by which transcription factors regulate brown fat size, functionality, and maintenance of pre-adipose stem cells under various metabolic conditions remain elusive. Therefore, we seek to identify key molecules or metabolites and genetic pathways that control adiposity and associated complications in mammals.

 

The following are our major research focus:

 

• Transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of brown and beige adipocytes.
   

• Elucidate the lipid singling pathway and RNA processing events that control the specialization of white and brown fat development and function.
   

• Uncover the molecular connection between age-induced adiposity and metabolic complications.

 

 

We employ a wide range of approaches including molecular genetics combined with biochemistry and molecular biology to address our specific questions. Also, we explore conditional knockout mouse model(s) and metabolic pathways to understand the spatiotemporal regulation and function of brown adipose tissue.