Emilio P Mottillo, PhD

Email: Emilio Mottillo

Titles

• Associate Scientist Henry Ford Hospital
• Associate Professor Wayne State University
• Associate Professor Michigan State University

Biographical Statement:

My initial graduate training was in adipose biology which investigated the mechanisms for gene transcription in brown adipose tissue, a thermogenic organ. This work led to the understanding of fatty acids as signaling molecules. My post-doctoral training investigated the role of the energy sensor AMPK in adipose tissue, demonstrating that adipocyte AMPK protects against fatty liver disease. More recently we developed methods to image lipid metabolism in real time to understand the temporal and spatial regulation. Another current project examines how a common genetic variant causes fatty liver disease. We have developed a multi-faceted program that utilizes molecular biology, cell biology and animal physiology to understand lipids in health and disease with the aim to translate basic research findings into therapies for human health. Dr. Mottillo serves on various National Institutes of Health Study Sections and as a reviewer for various peer-reviewed journals.

Research Interests:

Lipid droplets, obesity, fatty liver disease, cardiometabolic disease

The overall goal of our research program is to understand how cells store, release and sense lipids and how this process is dysregulated in various metabolic diseases. Cells safely store lipids in organelles called lipid droplets. Our lab investigates the protein interactions that occur on the surface of lipid droplets and how the disruption of these interactions can lead to cardiometabolic diseases such as fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease and kidney disease. This project expands upon the novel biology of ABHD5 interactions with the PNPLA lipase family to investigate roles in fatty liver disease and kidney disease.

A second major interest is to understand the metabolic signals generated by lipid droplets, how lipids droplets communicate with other organelles, and how cells sense lipids and maintain energy homeostasis. This project utilizes fluorescent microscopy approaches to image lipid metabolism in real-time in tissues such as brown fat, a thermogenic organ.

To answer these questions in the lab we utilize cutting edge techniques such as real-time imaging of lipid metabolites, super-resolution microscopy and Crispr-Cas9 genome editing.

Dr. Mottillo’s research is currently funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Awards and Honors:

• Roger Davis Investigator Award, Kern Lipid Conference, 2019
• Canadian Diabetes Association Post-doctoral Fellowship, 2013 - 2016
• Canadian Institutes of Health Research Doctoral Research Award, 2010 - 2013