Characterising the central representation of protein hunger

Summary

Obesity and cardiometabolic diseases cause a major health and economic burden. We know the brain plays a critical role in the maintenance of energy homeostasis. In fact, obesity is primarily a consequence of dysfunctions in brain pathways regulating appetite.

These brain pathways can be successfully targeted pharmacologically to produce weight loss. Yet, our understanding of how the brain controls appetite is still very limited. Specifically, most research focuses on the identification of brain energy-sensing mechanisms, but how distinct macronutrients are sensed by the brain is poorly understood. 

Dietary protein strongly influence appetite. High protein diets are popular for their appetite-suppressing effects, and our lab has recently characterised the central mechanisms involved. Intriguingly,  low protein diets promote hunger and protein appetite through distinct mechanisms .

Project aims

The goal of this project is to characterize the central representation of protein deficiency, identify brain regions specifically activated in these conditions, and begin to test the functional relevance of these areas in the control of appetite and energy balance.

We use activity-dependant neuronal labelling and circuit mapping in mice exposed to a variety of nutritional situations challenging whole body protein status.  

Techniques used include brain tissue processing for histological analysis, confocal microscopy, whole brain clearing and light-sheet volume microscopy, Image registration to the Allen mouse brain atlas and image analysis and quantification. We also use a variety of in vivo assessments in mice with gain- and loss-of-function of candidate mechanisms.

Contact details

Dr Clemence Blouet - csb69@cam.ac.uk

Opportunities

This project is open to applicants who want to do a:

• PhD