Techniques and models

The research applies modern techniques of molecular and cellular biology, ex vivo and in vivo calorimetry, as well as in-house expertises in cardiovascular physiology, to a variety of experimental designs nested under the impact of underfeeding, refeeding and overfeeding on thermogenesis, substrate oxidation, insulin resistance and blood pressure regulation. The investigations are carried out in cells, cell organelles (mitochondria), tissues/organs ex vivo, and in vivo in laboratory animals and in humans.  There is also growing interactions with other research groups in Switzerland on the following projects:

· Identification of genes encoding for proteins involved in cross-talks between adipose tissue fat stores and skeletal muscle thermogenesis, using techniques of differential display and cDNA microarray   

· Intracellular signalling during hormonal activation of skeletal muscle thermogenesis

· Mathematical modelling centered upon understanding human inter-individual variability in body composition regulation