RESEARCH PROFILE

Obesity is on the increase worldwide and in the majority of cases this increase will lead to type 2 diabetes. At present, 50% of the UK population is overweight and this percentage is set to increase. Fat accumulation around the abdomen is associated with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes (late onset diabetes). Fat is also known to produce a number of factors that are thought to increase this risk. Our team works on several of these factors to examine how they impact on the progression of the disease and its complications, such as hypertension and the risk of heart disease. We perform both clinical and laboratory patient based studies assessing the effects of risk factors on fat, as well as the role of drug treatment on reducing pathogenic factors produced by fat. As such, by researching the processes involved in the increase of the associated risk factors, our studies aim to provide a deeper understanding of how present drug therapy works in the body. In addition, our studies also evaluate novel drug therapeutic agents for future treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Current Research Aspects: The multidisciplinary team consists of 5 basic scientist PhD students, 6 clinical Research Fellows, 4 Postdoctoral research fellows, a Research Council Fellow, Visiting fellows, as well as cross clinical specialists and academic departments (Biology, Chemistry Maths, and Systems Biology). The following highlights key research areas: 1) Sub-clinical inflammation in pre- and post- diabetes 2) Obesity mediated hypertension 3) Appetite Control & its dysregulation in obesity 4) Ectopic fat Research 5) Premature ageing in diabetes. 6) Neuropeptides & Adipose tissue 7) Mitochondria, obesity & Diabetes 8) Adipocytokines 9) The 'Gut-Fat-Brain' Axis

BACKGROUND

CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS

• The origins of inflammation in human adipocytes, with Dr Jonathan Moore - Systems Biology Centre Dr Gyanendra Tripathi - Clinical Sciences Research Institute Dr Alison Harte - Clinical Sciences Research Institute, Funded by: King Saudi University, Project Start Date: 01/10/2011 Project End Date: 30/09/2015
• Investigation of dietary fats and Gut derived endotoxin as post-prandial triggers of systemic chronic low grade inflammation and ER stress, with - Dr Alison Harte - Clinical Sciences Research Institute, Funded by: Office of Educational Affairs, The Royal Thai Embassy, Project Start Date: 01/10/2010 Project End Date: 30/09/2014
• King Saudi University Grant, with Dr Gyanendra Tripathi - Clinical Sciences Research Institute Dr Alison Harte - Clinical Sciences Research Institute, Funded by: King Saudi University, Project Start Date: 01/10/2010 Project End Date: 30/09/2014
• Biosystems Integrated Team for Energetics, with Dr Jonathan Moore - Systems Biology Centre Dr Guy C Barker - Life Sciences, Funded by: IAS (Institute of Advanced Study), Project Start Date: 01/08/2012 Project End Date: 31/07/2013
  
  

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SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

• McTernan P G, Kusminski C M, da Silva N F, Creely S J, Fisher F M, Harte A L, Baker A R, Kumar S (2007) 'The in vitro effects of resistin on the innate immune signaling pathway in isolated human subcutaneous adipocytes.' Journal Of Clinical Endocrinology And Metabolism 92 (1), 270 - 276 [article]
• Kusminski CM, McTernan PG, Schraw T, Kos K, O'Hare PJ, Ahima R, Kumar S, Scherer PE. (2007) 'Adiponectin complexes in human cerebrospinal fluid: distict complex distribution from serum.' Diabetologia
• Gupta P, Harte AL, Sturdee DW, Khan H, Barnett AH, Kumar S, McTernan PG (2007) 'Expression of Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide, Adrenomedullin and Receptor Modifying Proteins in human adipose tissue and alteration in their expression with menopausal status.' Menopause: The Journal of The North American Menopause Society 14 (6),
• McTernan, PG, Kusminski, C, Kumar, S (2006) 'Resistin' Current Opinion In Lipidology 17 (2), 170 - 175
• Baker, AR, Silva, NF, Quinn, DW, Harte, AL., Pagano, D, Bonser, RS, Kumar, S, McTernan, PG (2006) 'Human epicardial adipose tissue expresses a pathogenic profile of adipocytokines in patients with cardiovascular disease.' Cardiovascular Diabetology 13 (5),

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Conferences

RESEARCH DEGREES SUPERVISED

• The role of Adiponectin and resistin in the pathogenesis of obesity mediated type 2 diabetes., Date of Completion: 2004
• The role of sex steriods, glucocorticoids and their metabolism by adipose tissue., Date of Completion: 2003
• The role of HRT therapies in altering the metabolic lipid and adipocytokine profile in menopausal patients., Date of Completion: 2003
• The role of insulin and insulin sensitisers in modulating pathogenic risks factors from human adipose tissue implicated in metabolic syndrome., Date of Completion: 2003
• The functional effects of oestrogens and androgens in human adipose tissue., Date of Completion: 2002