Ann L. Olson, PhD
- Position: Diabetes Research Member, Professor, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Biography
The central focus of my research is on insulin action and GLUT4 function in adipose tissue and muscle. GLUT4 is an important molecule for mediating the primary actions on insulin in these tissues. Dysregulation of GLUT4 expression and its membrane trafficking plays a central role in mediating the abnormalities in intermediary metabolism and glucose homeostasis associated with obesity and diabetes. This work has been supported by individual RO1 awards and awards from the JDRF, ADA and American Heart Association. The largest body of work has been accomplished using transgenic mice with the goal of understanding the molecular mechanisms that underlie GLUT4 transcriptional control. More recently, we have focused on Glut4-dependent glucose uptake and glucose metabolism. We have recently discovered that glucose metabolism plays a significant role in adipocyte differentiation and maturation, including regulation of GLUT4 expression. We are now focused on understanding the role that glucose metabolism plays in regulating the cellular biology and physiology of adipocytes.
Additional Websites
- Graduate School
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Post-Graduate, Physiology & Biophysics
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA -
Masters, Human Nutrition
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
- University
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Bachelors, Microbiology
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
- GLUT4 reguation
- Adipocyte development
- Glucose metabolism
- Exercise
- Skeletal muscle metabolism