Markus Stoffel, M.D.

Research

My overall research interest is to determine the fundamental genetic/biochemical mechanisms that regulate glucose and lipid metabolism through the study of transcriptional and translational regulators that control energy homeostasis. The importance of genetic regulation in the maintenance of glucose homeostasis is underscored by the many examples of aberrant signal transduction and transcriptional activation resulting in type 2 diabetes and the development of secondary complications. Our main areas of investigation include 1) Investigation of insulin signaling in liver, fat, hypothalamus and pancreatic ?-cells 2) Identification and characterization of target genes of MODY transcription factors Hnf-1?, Foxa1, Hnf-4? and Pdx-1 3) Islet growth and regeneration 4) MicroRNAs and gene regulation in pancreatic islet cells, liver and intestine 5) HDL metabolism and reverse cholesterol transport 6) Genetics of type 2 diabetes