@UC Berkeley
Intracellular cholesterol trafficking in physiology
Cholesterol is a fundamental component of cellular membranes. While the majority of cholesterol in cells is found in the plasma membrane, the machinery responsible for endogenous cholesterol synthesis resides in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The transport of cholesterol to the ER is critical for regulating cholesterol homeostasis, enabling its esterification prior to incorporation into lipoproteins, and facilitating its conversion into bile acids and steroid hormones. Efficient transport systems are essential to ensure the proper trafficking of cholesterol to the ER.
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Our approach
We combine a physiology-centered approach with an investigation of the molecular mechanisms that orchestrate lipid metabolism and intracellular distribution. Our goal is to assess how the dysregulation of these pathways and imbalanced nutritional regimens contribute to the onset of metabolic disorders and other lipid-related diseases. We focus on understanding how lipid trafficking in intestinal cells regulates dietary lipid absorption and contributes to gut health and whole-body lipid homeostasis.​
Our lab aims to address important aspects of lipid biology by:
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Identifying new mechanisms of cholesterol trafficking
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Understanding how these pathway are regulated
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Investigating intracellular lipid movement in physiology
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Discovering how perturbation of lipid transport contributes to the onset of lipid disorders
Our tools
We believe that integrating physiology studies and investigation of molecular events is fundamental to elucidate complex biological questions. The lab relies on a multidisciplinary approach combining cellular and molecular biology, genetic screens, biochemistry, transcriptomics, proteomics and lipidomics, and in vivo phenotyping. We use immortalized cell lines, primary cells and intestinal organoids (enteroids) to support our observations in murine models of metabolic disorders.
