Section Laboratory of Pediatrics

Building the future of metabolic health from early childhood onwards. Section

Building the future of metabolic health from early childhood onwards.

The Laboratory of Pediatrics conducts innovative research on metabolic disorders, focusing on both inherited and acquired conditions.

Our work encompasses a wide range of metabolic diseases, including:

Cardiovascular diseases (i.e. atherosclerosis)
Pulmonary arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis
Cystic fibrosis
Fatty acid oxidation disorders
Glycogen storage diseases
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Obesity-and ageing-related metabolic disorders (i.e. fatty liver, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance)
Pediatric cholestatic liver diseases

Research Approach

To investigate the etiology of these complex diseases and explore their molecular foundations, we employ a translational research approach that integrates human and mouse models and apply computational biology to investigate metabolic processes and their dysregulation across various pathological conditions.

Research Focus

Our key areas of investigation include:

Bile acids in health and disease
Early-life nutritional influences on metabolic disease risk
Immunometabolism
Intracellular trafficking processes
Nutrient sensing mechanisms
Mathematical modeling of metabolic pathways and disease processes
Microbiome-mediated interactions in disease development
Regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism

Our methodologies include:

Population- and family-based human studies
Mouse models generated through embryonic stem cell targeting and CRISPR/Cas9 technology.
Stable isotope technologies in both human and mouse models,
In vitro and ex vivo cell systems
Advanced characterization techniques such as molecular biology methods, proteomics, single-cell genomics, and
Bioinformatics to analyze and interpret large datasets
Computational modeling using mathematical models and computational simulations

Through this comprehensive research strategy, the Laboratory of Pediatrics strives to advance our understanding of metabolic health and disease, paving the way for innovative diagnostic tools and therapeutic interventions.