Bielczyk-Maczynska Lab
The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota
Genetics & Regulation of Metabolism
We aim to discover druggable mechanisms involved in the development of metabolic disease. Using functional genomics approaches, we identify genes that act as molecular regulators of metabolic processes. Next, we apply a variety of in vitro and in vivo experimental approaches to understand the function of the proteins encoded by these genes.
Our ongoing projects
G protein-coupled receptors in hepatic gluconeogenesis
We have recently identified G protein-coupled receptor 151 (GPR151) as a regulator of hepatic gluconeogenesis, a critical process that contributes to whole-body glucose homeostasis (Bielczyk-Maczynska et al., Nat Commun, 2022). We aim to not only understand the molecular function of GPR151, but also explore the regulation of hepatic gluconeogenesis by other GPCRs.
Functional genomics approaches to identify receptors that regulate metabolism
Human genomics provides us with many candidate receptors whose role in metabolism needs to be functionally tested in relevant experimental models. Using tools such as CRISPR-based screens (Bielczyk-Maczynska et al., AJP-Cell Physio, 2023), we can accelerate the discovery of metabolic regulators. We focus on the biological processes in the liver and fat that contribute to glucose homeostasis.
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