My research interests are at the interface of genomics, medicine, and biodiversity. The overall objective within my laboratory is to identify novel targets to treat the defective transport of lipids and glucose in human diseases. To identify these targets, we use a unique combination of unbiased, high-throughput systems biology approaches in yeast genomic screens and exome sequencing of human patients. These results are then translated and validated with experiments in animal models and human patient cells. In addition to identifying novel therapeutic targets to treat human diseases, our results also help understand the basic biology of lipid and glucose homeostasis in all eukaryotic cells. Specific projects for which I am recruiting students include but are not limited to the following:
Translational genomics to treat defective cholesterol and sphingolipid transport in human neurodegenerative diseases
HDAC inhibitors as a candidate therapy to treat a fatal pediatric disease.
Cholesterol is a major risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
Functional biodiversity and -omics of wild fungi in New Zealand.
Next-generation exome sequencing to identify disease modifier loci.
Nutritional genomics of homeopathic dietary supplements.
