ALEJANDRO LAB

Research projects in the Alejandro lab are aimed to understand the developmental origins of metabolic dysfunction in insulin resistance, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. We are interested in understanding the early life origins of insulin-producing beta-cell dysfunction and to identify novel endogenous modulators of insulin secretion and regeneration for potential treatment for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. We use both human samples and genetic animal models to assess the roles of key nutrient-sensor proteins like mTOR and OGT in the programming of multiple tissues setpoints during the developmental period that can impact their function and eventual development of insulin resistance, obesity, and diabetes in adulthood. Identifying modifiable risk factors is key in decreasing the incidence of metabolic dysfunction/inflammation in obesity and type 2 diabetes... What makes us the way we are? Why are some people predisposed to be overweight? How is it that some of us are prone to Type 2..