Stahl Lab Research
The central goal of our research is to make profound impacts on our understanding and treatment of common metabolic diseases through continuous innovation. Our research approaches thrive at the interface of disciplines such as biology, chemistry, and bioengineering and are driven by a highly collaborative team science approach.
The lab’s initial emphasis has been on the role of protein mediated fatty acid uptake included identification of the first intestinal fatty acid transporter (FATP), demonstrating the existence of an insulin-sensitive fatty acid transporter in adipocytes, and to identify a liver-specific FATP. This research evolved into wider approach to leverage stem cell and bioengineering based approaches together with physiology and cell biology to understand adipocyte and liver biology and interorgan communication. We have been pioneering investigations into the role of biomechanical forces in brown adipose tissue (BAT) activation and are working on novel lipid nanoparticle-based approaches to expand and activate BAT.
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Ongoing Projects
Further, the Stahl laboratory is pioneering investigations into the role of biomechanical forces in brown adipose tissue (BAT) activation and developing innovative lipid nanoparticle-based strategies to expand and activate BAT. In parallel, the lab is advancing New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) through the development of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived microphysiological systems (MPS), or organ-on-a-chip platforms, designed to functionally interrogate the fat–liver axis. These human-relevant preclinical models are being leveraged to study fundamental biological processes, including aging, as well as metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The platform also enables the evaluation of pharmacological interventions and therapeutic strategies in a physiologically relevant human context.
