Phone
608-265-3700Website
View WebsiteOffice Location
415B HF DeLuca Biochemistry Laboratories
Steenbock Professor of Nutritional Sciences
Professor of Biochemistry
B.S. 1975, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda
Msc. 1978, Makerere University Kampala Uganda
Ph.D. 1985, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
- Stearoyl-CoA Desaturases regulate stem and progenitor cell metabolism and function in response to nutrient abundance
- Stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 deficiency drives saturated lipid accumulation and increases liver and plasma acylcarnitines
- Intestinal stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase-inhibition improves obesity-associated metabolic disorders
- Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase 1 Regulates Metabolism and Inflammation in Mouse Perivascular Adipose Tissue in Response to a High-Fat Diet
- SCD4 deficiency decreases cardiac steatosis and prevents cardiac remodeling in mice fed a high-fat diet
- Hepatic stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 deficiency induces fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma-related gene activation under a high carbohydrate low fat diet
- Activation of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-β/δ (PPARβ/δ) in Keratinocytes by Endogenous Fatty Acids
- A Conversation with James Ntambi
- Fatty acid desaturation by stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 controls regulatory T cell differentiation and autoimmunity
- Hepatic oleate regulates one-carbon metabolism during high carbohydrate feeding
The general theme of my research is to understand the genetic regulation of metabolism, adipocyte biology and differentiation. I am specifically interested in the genetic basis of obesity, cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and diabetes and how dietary factors, hormones and environmental factors influence these disease states. In particular, I study the regulation of the mammalian stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) genes that encode an enzyme involved in biosynthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids. WE are using these genes as a model to understand nutrient gene interactions. We have recently genetically engineered mice that are born without the stearoyl-CoA desaturase gene-1 and found that these mice resist obesity, diabetes, fatty liver disease, and other aspects of the metabolic syndrome.
I am also interested in conducting research on obesity and diabetes and other non-communicable metabolic diseases in developing countries. I provide advice on how to prevent or delay the progression of metabolic diseases through nutritional interventions.