Research Summary
Lipids are the most abundant organic constituents in many humans. The rise in obesity prevalence has prompted a need for a more refined understanding of the effects of lipid molecules on cell physiology. In skeletal muscle, deposition of lipids can be associated with insulin resistance that contributes to the development of diabetes. Muscle cells are equipped with the molecular machinery to convert and sequester lipid molecules, thus rendering them harmless.
Education
- BS/MS, Physiology, Boston University
- PhD, Kinesiology, University of Michigan
- Postdoc, Endocrinology, Washington University School of Medicine
Biography
Dr. Funai’s research involves studying the molecular mechanisms that regulate skeletal muscle metabolism. He uses cell culture, mouse models, and clinical studies to understand how lipid molecules mediate the effect that obesity has on cellular homeostasis. His laboratory is located at the Diabetes & Metabolism Research Center at the Eccles Institute of Human Genetics.