Cell Signaling in Cancer and Metabolism

The Teruel Lab is led by Dr. Mary Teruel, an engineer-turned-systems-biologist who uses quantitative approaches to solve critical challenges in medicine. We apply advanced live-cell imaging and mouse models to investigate how circadian rhythms regulate metabolic health at the cellular level. Our work aims to uncover the fundamental mechanisms that drive obesity and diabetes, with the ultimate goal of developing novel therapies. Join us to be part of a team that translates foundational science into real-world clinical solutions.

1. Circadian rhythms in metabolic health (Teruel lab): we are particular interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms how disruptions in glucocorticoid circadian rhythms, as occurs from chronic stress, jet lag, and shiftwork - drives obesity to equivalent levels as a 60% high dat diet, but through independent mechanisms. Understanding this unique metabolic pathway, which avoids harmful fat accumulation in the liver, could lead to new treatments for obesity and fatty liver disease.

1. The cell cycle and cell differentiation in metabolic health (Teruel lab): novel mechanisms of beta cell proliferation to reverse diabetes

The Meyer Lab is led by Dr. Tobias Meyer. Current projects guided by the Meyer lab focus on cancer and epithelial cell signals that control cell proliferation and migration. Specific projects focus on signals in triple negative breast cancer that may be targeted therapeutically, and mechanisms that can strengthen the epithelial barrier function of intestinal crypt cells.  

1. Cancer signaling (Meyer lab): we investigate general mechanisms how signals control cell proliferation and migration in cancer cells. 

2. Intestinal Crypt signaling (Meyer lab): we investigate how signals coordinate cell migration, proliferation, differentiation and extrusion.