James
One of the major actions of insulin that becomes defective in type 2 diabetes is the regulated entry of nutrients into our muscle and fat cells. Our goal is to use our newly-developed molecular imaging methods to uncover the path that insulin takes from when it binds to muscle and fat cells to when it encounters its final target, and how it achieves its ultimate goal: allowing glucose to gain entry to a cell. Numerous proteins interact with insulin and glucose on this journey. We are also intrigued by the constant movement of proteins within cells, the direction and rate of which is precisely controlled and are investigating the mechanism for the regulation of protein trafficking.
Staff
 Research OfficerDr Kyle Hoehn |
 Research OfficerDr Jacqueline Stoeckli |
 Research OfficerDr Ping Zhao |
 PhD StudentMatt Prior |
 Research OfficerJames Burchfield (50% with Hughes Group) |
 PhD StudentPoh Sim Khoo |
 PhD StudentSamantha Hocking |
 PhD StudentJonathan Davey |
 PhD StudentAlex Rowland |
 PhD
StudentYvonne Ng |
 PhD StudentLindsay Wu |
News
Setting the record straight on weight loss
MEDIA RELEASE:
06 Jan 2010
It’s time to set the record straight. The only reliable way to lose weight is to eat less or exercise more. Preferably both. So why bother to state the obvious? Because a body of scientific literature has arisen over recent years, suggesting that fat oxidation – burning the fats we eat as opposed to the carbohydrates – is enough to promote fat loss. It isn’t.
The free radical that triggers insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes
MEDIA RELEASE:
28 Sep 2009
Garvan scientists have found that overeating may stimulate the conversion of the oxygen in the air we breathe into toxic free radicals, leading to insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes. Until now, no-one has identified the central mechanism, or cellular switch, that initiates insulin resistance.
Will bitter melon in a bottle live up to its promise?
MEDIA RELEASE:
21 Jan 2009
Diabetes researchers at Garvan have received nearly $300,000 in Commonwealth funding to advance their research into the therapeutic properties of bitter melon, a vegetable and traditional Chinese medicine.
