Integrative Genomics and Systems Biology of Common Metabolic Disorders and Comorbidity

Research in our lab employs integrative genomics and systems biology approaches to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying common metabolic disorders including coronary artery disease, diabetes, and obesity. We are also investigating the molecular mechanisms that connect metabolic disorders with brain function and neurological disorders.

Common metabolic disorders represent top health concerns worldwide. Decades of research only reveals greater complexity in the genetic architecture of individual diseases, the connections between them, and the links between metabolic disorders and other diseases. We hypothesize that the complex interactions between genetic and environmental risk factors perturb specific gene networks which in turn induce variations in disease susceptibility and therapeutic response.

By applying integrative genomics and systems biology approaches that leverage genetic, transcriptional, epigenomic, and phenotypic data from human and rodent populations, we attempt to identify causal molecular alterations and the subsequently perturbed molecular networks that contribute to the development of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and their comorbidity.

Our research has been generously supported by the NIH/NIDDK, NIH/NINDS, American Heart Association, the Leducq Foundation, GSK, the Hellman Fellows Program, UCLA CTSI, and the UCLA Faculty Research Grant.