Gareth Lim

Background

About Gareth Lim

Obesity is a rapidly growing concern in society that affects individuals of all ages. It is established as an independent risk factor for many diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The increase in metabolic demand due to obesity is known to contribute to the eventual exhaustion and death of pancreatic beta-cells, which eventually lead to the development of diabetes. Despite many years of research, the molecular mechanisms that promote the development of obesity and diabetes are not fully understood, nor are the signalling pathways involved in disease progression. My research focuses on elucidating novel physiological functions of the 14-3-3 protein family in glucose homeostasis, metabolism, and cell survival. When compared to other signalling molecules like kinases or receptors, molecular adaptor proteins, such as the seven mammalian 14-3-3 isoforms, are often understudied, and their physiological roles are not fully known. Traditional biochemical and molecular approaches are used to determine function of 14-3-3 proteins, in addition to mouse genetic models. Furthermore, proteomics and RNA-Seq are also used to uncover the involvement of 14-3-3 proteins in various processes related to pancreatic beta-cell survival and function, adipogenesis, and the pathogenesis of obesity.