Metabolic and mitochondrial disease
About
Metabolic or mitochondrial dysfunction plays key roles in many chronic and degenerative diseases.
Some metabolic or mitochondrial diseases are genetic, but many are of unknown etiology, some age-related, some associated with obesity, some with disturbances in the gut microbiome. Our research focuses on the understanding the underlying mechanisms in these diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurogenic hypertension, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
We study these in human patients and cells, as well as in model organisms, such as
- the social amoeba D. discoideum,
- the worm C. elegans,
- the fly D. melanogaster,
- the mouse and
- the rat.
Research groups
Gene-environment interactions
Group leaders: Dr. Mark Jois and Dr. Jency Thomas
We are interested in understanding the role gene-environment interactions in the development of diseases relevant to public health.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology Group
Group leader: Dr Jennifer Wood & Prof Ashley Franks
We focus on the study of the structure and function of microbial communities in the environment.
Neurophysiology
Group leader: Dr. Joon (Kyungjoon) Lim
Our research centres on cardiovascular neuroscience and fills a niche between the clinic and basic research.
Skeletal and cardiac muscle research group
Group leader: Dr. Giuseppe Posterino
We are focused on understanding the fundamental basis of muscle contraction across a wide array of muscle types (skeletal, cardiac and smooth).