Dr. Scott Widenmaier PhD

Stress-Adaptations to the Metabolic Stress of Obesity in Health & Disease

Metabolic disorders associated with obesity underlie a cluster of diseases that have emerged as major challenges to health systems in Canada and around the globe. Aberrant interactions between the immune and metabolic systems significantly contribute to these diseases, so much so they are now commonly referred to as ‘immunometabolic diseases’. What this refers to is the established and well accepted evidence that the elevated metabolic burden of excess nutrient intake in the context of chronic obesity can be stressful to the cells and tissues mainly responsible for coordinating metabolic homeostasis. If the stress is unresolved, it can lead to a chronic low-grade state of inflammation that will disrupt metabolic homeostasis and thereby cause disease progression. By learning how to mitigate the stress caused by the metabolic burdens and stresses of excess nutrient exposure, we may identify a more effective approach for the treatment and prevention of obesity-linked metabolic disorders.

The goal of my program is to delineate the molecular interface between cellular stress and metabolic homeostasis, determine how this relates to immunometabolic diseases, and identify interventions that influence this interface in a manner that improves immunometabolic health. To this end, we employ a multidisciplinary approach integrating molecular biology, molecular genetics, biochemistry, systems biology, and physiology on in vitro and in vivo model systems of obesity & metabolic stress. We currently undertake 2 main projects.

1) We are investigating the role of a family of stress-adaptive transcription factors in the regulation of metabolic homeostasis and cellular resistance to stress, particularly in the context of fatty liver disease.
2) We are systematically identifying the molecular mechanisms by which cells control homeostatic levels of one specific nutrient that has important roles in health & disease, cholesterol.

Students and fellows interested in joining the lab should contact me at my e-mail address. When doing so, please include a detailed ‘statement of interest’ explaining why you would like to join the lab as well as unofficial transcripts and contact information of at least 2 references.