Lipid Metabolism
Some UCLA researchers focus on manipulating the performance of mitochondria (the cell’s energy-burning engine) and other cell structures. Meanwhile, their scientific colleagues are taking a genetic approach to understanding metabolism and metabolic disorders.
Peter Tontonoz, MD, PhD, a professor of pathology and laboratory medicine and biological chemistry, studies pathways regulating energy storage and expenditure that contribute to obesity and Type 2 diabetes. His group aims to dissect the molecular function of new proteins involve in lipid metabolism.
Lipids include triglycerides, phospholipids and sterols. Lipid metabolism involves aspects of lipid uptake from the diet, conversion to other molecules such as hormones, storage in fat cells, and catabolism or excretion.
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