Environment & Metabolism

Overview

The goal of this theme is to study environmental exposures that beneficially or adversely impact metabolic health and mitochondrial function. Dysregulated metabolism is widely viewed as the gateway to poor overall health, especially for underserved populations, and research into the phenotypic characteristics of metabolic syndrome and its downstream diseases will address the unique environmental exposure susceptibilities faced by those with impaired metabolic health.

Mitochondria are the main sources of cellular energy and play essential roles in normal cellular homeostasis. Not surprisingly, disruption of mitochondrial function results in many conditions, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Disease, Down Syndrome, diabetes, infertility, inflammatory diseases, and cancer. More recently, studies have shown that mitochondrial dysfunction can result from environmental exposures.

Research in this theme will look into the unique environmental exposure susceptibilities of those with reduced metabolic health in an effort to identify environmental contributors to metabolic syndrome.

Research Foci:

• Pathophysiological characteristics of metabolic syndrome:
  • Obesity
  • Elevated triglyceride levels
  • Low HDL cholesterol levels
  • High blood pressure
  • High fasting glucose
• Factors being studied by TiCER investigators:
  • Diet
  • Endocrine disruptors
  • Physical activity
  • Behavior
  • Microbiota
• TiCER scientists also investigate the role of environmental factors in specific diseases impacted by metabolic syndrome, including cancer and cardiovascular disease.