Dr. Ussher’s research interests involve understanding the molecular regulation by which the various organs in the body metabolize fuel from the food we eat (e.g., sugar, fat, protein, etc.) to produce energy. The intricate molecular network regulating these processes is disturbed in a number of human diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Therefore, an improved understanding of this molecular regulation may lead to the discovery of novel drug targets for treating these chronic diseases.

To pursue these research interests, his laboratory utilizes mouse genetics to modify genes (delete or overexpress) that produce protein/enzymes that they believe are key molecular regulators influencing how the body’s organs metabolize various fuel sources (e. g., carbohydrates, fatty acids). These genetically modified mouse models are subjected to various experimental models of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, or exercise, whereby disease outcomes, disease progression, and other clinically relevant parameters are assessed. By identifying the genes/proteins that are the most important contributors to metabolic regulation/dysregulation, his team hope to build a research platform using these targets to facilitate drug development for obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic diseases where defects in energy metabolism are implicated (e.g., fatty liver disease, chronic fatigue, etc.).