Print this page 
Metabolism and Cancer Laboratory
About this Laboratory
Our goals are to understand the role of sex hormones in energy homeostasis, and how disregulation of metabolism leads to increased risk of breast cancer. These studies will firstly enable us to understand the sexual basis of adiposity and the effect of ageing on the adipose depots and the development of the Metabolic Syndrome, such as the role of the menopausal transition in the development of truncal obesity. Secondly, our goal is to understand the role of obesity and ageing in increased breast cancer risk. We believe that this latter association is mediated in large part through the regulation of aromatase (the enzyme responsible for oestrogen formation) and hence oestrogen formation within the human breast.
Related to Research Themes
Cancer , Genes & Healthy Development , Women's Health
Current Research
Obesity and breast cancer risk - We have provided detailed evidence that the association of obesity with increased breast cancer risk is mediated via the adipokines leptin and adiponectin through the LKB-1/AMP kinase pathway.
Insulin resistance in the aromatase knockout mouse - We are pursuing this work by conducting Glucose, Insulin and Pyruvate Tolerance tests. We are also studying the insulin signalling pathways in the muscle and liver of the aromatase knockout (ArKO) mouse as well as by generating tissue-specific aromatase knock-ins in organs such as brain, muscle, adipose and liver on the genetic background of the ArKO mouse.
- Regulation of adipose tissue metabolism in women - In women, androgen excess may be a modifiable risk factor for metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. We are investigating the mechanism by which androgens induce insulin resistance in female adipose tissue, and also the effects on adipose tissue metabolism of drugs commonly used in women with androgen excess, such as spironolactone.
Regulation of somatic and germ cells in the testis - This research effort is focused on the 2 main cell types that are essential for male fertility; the somatic Sertoli cell and developing sperm cells. These studies are exploring the genes and the hormones that control these cell types which ensure maximal sperm output. This work uses well characterised models and clinical samples of infertility to identify mechanisms of control in the healthy and diseased testis.