Working group
My research interests lie in the understanding of the role of lipolytic enzymes and co-factors in energy metabolism in oxidative tissues and the skin. Virtually every cell of the body deposits triacylglycerol (TG) within lipid droplets (LD). The mobilization of adipose tissue TGs and the release of free fatty acids into the blood circulation delivers oxidative substrates to peripheral organs including the heart and liver. Imbalances in this process can be causative for the development of metabolic disorders including obesity, type 2 diabetes, hepatic steatosis and heart disease. The generation and characterization of mice lacking or overexpressing neutral lipid hydrolases and co-factors including hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and comparative gene identification-58 (CGI-58) substantially increased our understanding of the role of these enzymes in the development of metabolic disorders. Studying the function of lipolytic candidate genes in cell culture experiments delivers novel insights in the role of these proteins in lipid metabolism. Ongoing studies generating and characterizing mice lacking or overexpressing neutral lipid hydrolases and co-factors in a specific organ will increase our understanding of the role of these proteins in the control of energy catabolism and the formation of the skin barrier.