Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2009

Mentor: Vincent Aguirre
Department: Internal Medicine
Room number: K5.140C
Mail Code: 9151
Phone number: x8-0201
E-mail: Vincent.Aguirre@UTSouthwestern.edu
Project title: Investigation into the physiologic of body weight regulation and improved metabolism after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) in rodents

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): pending currently

Project Type (patient-based research, animal-based research, or basic research; this characterization is only to permit a general classification for grouping similar types of projects): Animal-based

Brief Description of Project: My lab investigates the physiologic mechanisms underlying the effects of RYGB on body weight and diabetes. My lab is one of two that can perform this procedure in mice. We have determined an underlying, hypothalamic-mechanism for the effects of RYGB on body weight and diabetes and are currently investigating: (1) the gut-based afferent mechanisms, (2) the central nuclei, and (3) the efferent, sympathetic pathways involved in these metabolic effects. In his time in the lab, Jason will learn how to perform gastric bypass in both rodents and mice and learn how to characterize the weight loss and metabolic phenotypes in these animals. He will also have the opportunity to perform and interpret the results from: (1) minimally-invasive techniques to measure in vivo insulin action, (2) methodologies for evaluating the impact of RYGB on energy balance (calorie intake, oxygen consumption, heat production, activity), and (3) organ-specific biochemical and/or molecular analyses based on the results of the aforementioned experiments. The animal protocols for the outlined experiments are currently being reviewed by the IACUC and are expected to be approved later this month.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students: None, I am a new faculty member at UT Southwestern