Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2010

Mentor: Philipp Scherer
Department: Internal Medicine
Room number: L5.210
a) Mail Code: 8549
Phone number: 214-648-8715
E-mail: philipp.scherer@utsouthwestern.edu
Project title: ACRP, a Protein Secreted from Adipose

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):Not Applicable

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): 2010-006

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): Basic Research

Brief Description of Project:
The adipose-derived factor possesses potent insulin sensitizing, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effects. Our recent efforts (which Vincent participated in last summer), determined that these effects are mediated by adiponectin receptors which promote the degradation of the insulin desensitizing, pro-apoptotic, and pro-inflammatory lipid metabolite - ceramide. Using embryonic fibroblast cell lines previously obtained from mice lacking adiponectin receptors, we will evaluate the efficacy of various adiponectin forms and receptor agonists. Experiments will evaluate ceramidase enzymatic activity using fluorescent assays to determine receptor-mediated degradation of the sphingolipid ceramide.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:
Former MD/PhD Students: Puneeth Iyengar, Utpal Pajvani, Michael Rajala, Anders Berg, combined for dozens of publications.
Mark Hamilton, James Yi, and Xinyu Wu have contributed to several publications during their time spent in the laboratory and are currently in medical school programs.