Regulation of growth and metabolism

We have a long-standing interest in the regulation of growth and metabolism that stems from our early work on the pathway anchored by mTOR protein kinase. We now appreciate that it is a major regulator of growth and anabolism in animals and responds to diverse stimuli, including nutrients. Because our work revealed that lysosomes play a key role in the activation of mTORC1 by nutrients, we began to study lysosomes as well as other organelles.

Available thesis projects:

1. Nutrient sensing by mTOR. We seek to: discover the glucose sensor for mTORC1 and nutrient sensors in animals beyond mammals; understand how the known nutrient sensors function in vivo; and elucidate the biochemical function of GATOR2.
   
2. Lysosomes in normal physiology and disease. Using the Lyso-IP methodology and CRISPR screening we seek to understand how neurodegenerative diseases impact lysosomes and identify the contents of lysosomes in specialized cells, like immune cells.
   
3. Methods to study small molecule metabolism in vivo. We seek to develop methods to study carbohydrate metabolism in cells in vivo in mice.
   
4. Development of drug-like molecules. In collaboration with chemists at IOCB and elsewhere, we seek to develop drug-like molecules that target mTOR pathway components as well lysosomal and mitochondrial proteins.
   

Field of study: Biochemistry, Cell biology, Biology