Understanding metabolic cross-talk in health and disease - Focus on type 2 diabetes and fatty liver

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  Research Project Leader
  Dr Magdalene Montgomery

  magdalene.montgomery@unimelb.edu.au

  View researcher's webpage

  +61 422 059 907

Project Details

The concept of ‘metabolic cross-talk’ postulates that tissues secrete factors that act through paracrine and/or endocrine communication to alter metabolism and energy homeostasis. The main goal of our research program is to understand how tissues communicate with each other and how various pathological states affect tissue cross-talk, and subsequently impact systemic metabolism. The classic example is the adipocyte-secreted protein leptin, which was first discovered in 1995 as a hormone that regulates body fat stores and has subsequently been shown to regulate a myriad of metabolic functions.

Our focus lies on understanding changes in the secretory function of the major metabolic tissues (such as liver, muscle, adipose tissue and heart) in the presence of ectopic fat accumulation, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. We use this discovery platform with the primary aims of identifying (1) novel therapeutic targets that affect glycaemic control and energy homeostasis, and (2) novel blood biomarkers for various disease states.

Research Opportunities

This research project is available to Honours students to join as part of their thesis.
Please contact the Research Group Leader to discuss your options.

Research Publications

View Dr Montgomery's latest PubMed publications listing here