Gupta Lab
Dr. Rana Gupta discussing Career Development at the University of Pennsylvania
Developmental Biology of Adipose Tissue
Proper control of energy and nutrient homeostasis is crucial for growth, development, and the prevention of metabolic disease. Adipose tissue plays a critical role in the regulation of energy balance, functioning as a metabolic sensor that controls energy storage, energy utilization, and food intake. Pathological adipose tissue distribution and adipocyte dysfunction are intimately linked to obesity and obesity-associated diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The growing epidemic of obesity and rising costs associated with treating metabolic disease has increased the urgency for understanding all aspects of adipose tissue biology, including how adipocytes are formed throughout the body.
The Gupta Lab employs modern approaches in molecular genetics and molecular/cellular biology to explore various aspects of adipocyte development. Since its inception in 2012, the Gupta lab has remained laser-focused on understanding 1) the mechanisms governing the establishment and maintenance of the adipocyte lineage, and 2) the molecular and physiological regulators of adipose tissue expansion in obesity.
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