Our Vision
The vision of the Center for Molecular Metabolism will be to accomplish this mission by:
- Bolstering collaboration between investigators;
- Creating research infrastructure support;
- Enhancing trainee career development;
- Assisting in the recruitment of new faculty with an outstanding track record of basic and translational research in the fields of metabolic biology, diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, kidney disease, sarcopenia, obesity, and nutrition.
From basic science to clinical trials, research at the Center for Molecular Metabolism will focus on the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the etiology of metabolic and endocrine dysfunction in diabetes and obesity, liver and kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease with the primary aim of identifying novel therapies and biomarkers to reduce morbidity and mortality.
The Center will take an integrated approach where basic science findings in metabolic biology will be translated to “first in human studies” and a “reverse-translation” approach where intriguing findings in the clinic will be further studied in the lab to identify cellular mechanisms.
Background & Significance
To support multidisciplinary, basic, and translational research to improve metabolic health.
Poor metabolic health is a major factor in several of the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States.
The CDC states: “Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. These are among the leading causes of preventable, premature death.”
In 2017-2018 the percentage of adults with obesity in the United States was 42%. The percentage of adults that are overweight (including obesity) was 74%.
UT Health San Antonio is the home of a critical mass of investigators and clinicians in the fields of nutrition, metabolism, and exercise.
The Center for Molecular Metabolism seeks to increase communication and collaboration among these research programs to aid in the development of applications for large nutrition, metabolism, and program grants.
