Comparative Metabolism Laboratory
The Comparative Metabolism laboratory investigates glucose metabolism during metabolic
diseases (e.g., diabetes, insulin resistance and obesity) and novel metabolic therapeutic
strategies that could benefit both veterinary and human patients. Diabetes and obesity,
global epidemic diseases, are significant risk factors for cardiovascular and pulmonary
diseases. One of the major pathogenic processes underlying these metabolic diseases
results from a deficit of insulin production or action, with dysfunctional glucose
uptake into insulin-sensitive tissues.
Despite intensive research, the mechanisms of altered glucose transport observed during
diabetes are still not well elucidated. Therefore, the main current mission of our
research laboratory is to investigate the regulation of glucose transport in insulin-sensitive
tissues (e.g., cardiac and skeletal muscles, and adipose tissues), but also in the
lung and lamellar tissue. Glucose uptake from the bloodstream is tightly regulated
by a family of specialized proteins called glucose transporters. Because every cell
expresses these glucose transporters, they are recognized as major regulators of whole-body
metabolism and thus, key pharmacological targets. The strength of our research program
is to use a unique comparative approach by investigating both small and large animal
models of metabolic diseases, spanning from transgenic mice to horses.