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Maribel Rios, Ph.D. |
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Assistant Professor of Neuroscience
Neuroscience, Physiology
Maribel.Rios@tufts.edu
Our laboratory is interested in unraveling the molecular mechanismsutilized by brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to regulate foodintake, metabolic function and affective behavior using molecular,biochemical, and genetic tools. We generated different lines ofconditional mutant mice with tissue-specific depletion of BDNF using thecre-loxP recombination system. One of these lines of mutants has BDNFdepletion in the postnatal brain that results in dramatic mature-onsetobesity and increased aggressive and anxiety-related behavior. Throughexamination of their gene expression profiles and specific signalingpathways, we will ascertain how BDNF is mechanistically involved inappetite and emotionality control. Mutants without hepatic or pancreaticislet BDNF will be used to assess the role of BDNF in metabolicfunction. Together, these studies will cast light on how BDNF might beinvolved in obesity and psychiatric disorders.
Visit the Rios research web site |
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