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Endocrinology Research
 Prema Narayan, Ph.D. Assistant Professor pnarayan@siumed.edu |
Reproductive Endocrinology The major research interest of my lab is to understand the role of gonadotropin hormones and receptors in reproductive physiology and pathophysiology. Current research in this area is focused on the characterization of a transgenic mouse model expressing a constitutively active luteinizing hormone receptor that results in precocious puberty, infertility and gonadal defects. We are interested in defining the signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms associated with these phenotypes using a combination of biochemical, molecular and cell biological approaches.
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 Lydia Arbogast, Ph.D. Professor larbogast@siumed.edu |
Reproductive Neuroendocrinology My laboratory is interested in how female reproductive hormones affect neuronal activity in the brain. The overall goal is to understand the control of prolactin secretion during lactation and the female reproductive cycle. A primary focus is cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of dopamine and opioid peptide neurons, particularly as related to feedback to the hypothalamus by prolactin from pituitary gland and steroid hormones, estradiol and progesterone, from the ovary. Integrative, cell culture and molecular biology approaches are used to identify cell signaling pathways and transcriptional and post-translational control of key enzymes in neurotransmitter biosynthesis.
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 April Strader, Ph.D. Assistant Professor astrader@siumed.edu |
Behavioral Neuroendocrinology With an estimated 300,000 people dying each year, obesity has become an epidemic in the western world. The regulation of body weight is controlled by both peripheral signals (gut and adipose tissue) as well and central signals (brain). One of my research aims is to determine mechanisms underlying the most effective treatment for obesity to date, bariatric or obesity surgery. Specifically, I am interested in anorexic signals arising from the hind gut. A second area of interest is the central (brain) melanocortin system and determining downstream targets of their action. |
Buffy Ellsworth , Ph.D. |
Endocrinology, Cancer Biology Our research focuses on how forkhead transcription factor genes coordinate pituitary gland development and how misregulation of these genes can result in pituitary tumorigenesis and hormone deficiencies. We analyze mice that are genetically engineered to eliminate expression of specific forkhead factor genes. By determining how pituitary development is affected in the absence of these forkhead factors we can understand how they regulate pituitary gland development. Often genes have the same function during development as they do in tumorigenesis. For example, genes that are important for promoting cell proliferation during development can cause uncontrolled proliferation of tumors if activated inappropriately in adulthood. To determine if forkhead factors contribute to pituitary tumorigenesis, we are analyzing expression of several forkhead factors in human pituitary tumors. |
