Robert V. Farese, Jr., M.D.

Focus: Cell Biology of Energy Metabolism

The ability of cells to store and utilize energy in a regulated manner is fundamental to life, and abnormalities in energy metabolism play a central role in diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, neurodegeneration, and aging. Our laboratory is interested in cellular energy homeostasis, focusing on three interrelated areas of research: the cell biology of lipid storage, the enzymes of neutral lipid synthesis, and energy metabolism in neurons. Our approaches are basic, emphasizing biochemistry and cellular biology, with specific hypothesis testing in model organisms such as flies and mice. Our group has two new areas of investigation: 1) the cell biology of lipid droplet formation and utilization, and 2) neuron cell biology and neurodegeneration, with a focus on frontotemporal dementia. For more information on our laboratory, please visit our laboratory web site (www.gladstone.ucsf.edu/gladstone/files/farese/HomePage/index.html).