Epigenomic Regulation of Energy Metabolism in Cardiometabolic Diseases

The medical problem:
(Cardio)-Metabolic Diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are global medical emergencies which arise as consequence of disease-permissive genetic variation, unhealthy diet intake and obesity-promoting lifestyles that deteriorate metabolic health by altered gene regulation in key metabolic organs like fat tissue.

Our approach:
The Kornfeld Lab is interested in understanding how epigenetic regulatory processes like changes in non-protein coding microRNAs (miRNA) and altered chromatin states affect organism-, tissue- and cellular energy homeostasis and inter-organ crosstalk. We bring together strong molecular genomic techniques with a sound understanding of metabolic regulation in transgenic animal models. We value high-quality training of students, collaboration with domain experts across the globe and publishing our findings in high-impact journals. We collaborate with leading experts in our field world-wide and strengthen the translational impact of our science by industrial collaborations.

Our goals:
Our fundamental research goal is to define novel disease-associated molecular signatures that promote obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in transgenic model organisms. Our translational research goal aim is to target disease-promoting processes using nutritional intervention strategies, miRNA perturbation in vivo, pharmacological approaches and the development of novel gene therapy tools such as adeno-associated virus vectors for gene correction in patients.

Our teaching philosophy:
We cherish hosting Bachelor, Individual Study Activity (ISA) and Master students that want to learn more about (RNA-mediated) gene-regulation in cardiometabolic diseases. We offer hypothesis-driven research projects, teaching in data analysis, RNA & chromatin, and (patho)-physiology.