Stoffel, Markus, Prof.

ETH Zürich Prof. Dr. Markus Stoffel Institut f. Molekulare Systembiologie HPT E 73 Wolfgang-Pauli-Str. 16 8093 Zürich Phone: +41 44 633 45 60 E-Mail:

Integration of extracellular hormonal and nutrient signals into comprehensive gene expression patterns leads to tightly choreographed phenotypic responses that regulate metabolism and differentiation. The overall research interest of the laboratory is to determine the fundamental genetic/biochemical mechanisms that regulate glucose and lipid metabolism through the study of transcriptional and translational regulators that control energy homeostasis. The importance of genetic regulation in the maintenance of glucose homeostasis is underscored by the many examples of aberrant signal transduction and transcriptional activation resulting in type 2 diabetes and the development of secondary complications.

Project opportunities for PhD students include:
1. Investigation of hormonal signaling during fasting, feeding and in type 2 diabetes.
2. Analysis of signals required for insulin secretion
3. Examination of growth promoting factors of pancreatic b-cells in physiological and pathological conditions
4. Studying the role of microRNAs in the regulation of gene expression in normal physiology and disease.
5. Investigation of HDL lipoprotein metabolism and its role in reverse cholesterol transport