Cells of the immune system, like those of any other, require their own metabolism to function appropriately. Diabetes is a disease of largely metabolic etiology, yet it is now widely considered an inflammatory condition. This inflammation arises from the aberrant activation of the immune system. The Bioenergetics Group derives its name from understanding how these two worlds interact, the metabolic disturbance in diabetes and the bioenergetic response of the body’s immune system.
Thus, our objective is to investigate the mechanisms that fuel immune effector function in diabetes. We widen the repertoire of actionable therapeutic targets through interrogating the bioenergetic mechanisms underlying inflammation.
On-going studies include:
- Clinical study of inflammation related biomarkers in the development and progression of type-2 diabetes and its complications
- Therapeutic target discovery in controlling aberrant innate immune responses
