Metabolic and Cardiovascular Sciences

Image depicting an isolated primary hepatocyte, examining the mitochondria–lipid droplet interaction, stained with Mitotracker (red) and Bodipy (green) to visualize mitochondria and lipid droplets, respectively.
Credit: Stacey Keenan
Outstanding scientific and clinical researchers are improving our understanding of cellular metabolism and, ultimately, generating fresh insight into how to tackle metabolic disorders. Our inter-disciplinary community is at the forefront of novel therapeutic strategies for obesity, diabetes, liver and heart disease, and many cancers.
Dr Magda Montgomery, Academic Theme Lead
Dr Helen Jiao, Deputy
Metabolism is essential for the optimal function of every cell in your body.
Without effective control, metabolic impairments impact the normal function of all body tissues and underpin some of the leading causes of death in our society. This includes obesity, diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease and many cancers.
Our researchers investigate metabolism and metabolic dysfunctions of the:
- Liver
- Heart
- Vasculature
- Adipose tissues
- Skeletal muscle
- Gut
- Brain and
- Eye
The theme collectively interrogates the biology of cellular metabolism – the ways in which cells communicate to regulate metabolism – and the complex interactions between the endocrine system, enteric nervous system and sensory systems in the context of health and disease.
We adopt systems biology and translational approaches with the ultimate aim of identifying and developing novel therapeutic strategies to tackle metabolic diseases to improve patient outcomes.
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Delbridge laboratory: Cardiac phenomics
Research Group Leader: Professor Lea Delbridge
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Dodd laboratory: Metabolic Neuroscience
Research Group Leader: Dr Garron Dodd
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Furness laboratory: Digestive physiology and nutrition
Research Group Leader: Professor John Furness
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Harrap laboratory: Genetic physiology
Research Group Leader: Professor Stephen Harrap
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Montgomery laboratory: Metabolic Tissue Cross-Talk
Research Group Leader: Dr Magda Montgomery
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Parker laboratory: Metabolic Proteomics & Signal Transduction
Research Group Leader: Dr Benjamin Parker
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Watt laboratory: Metabolism and Diabetes
Research Group Leader: Professor Matthew Watt
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Wilkinson-Berka laboratory: Retinal vascular biology and inflammation
Research Group Leader: Professor Jennifer Wilkinson-Berka
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Yao laboratory: Cardiovascular Neuroscience
Research Group Leader: Dr Song Yao