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Teresa Reyes, Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor
Department of Pharmacology
805 BRBII/III
421 Curie Blvd
Philadelphia 19104-6160
Phone: 215-573-2991
email: reyestm@mail.med.upenn.edu
Click here for selected publications since Dr. Reyes’ arrival at Penn
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Central nervous system circuitry controlling food intake and metabolism; illness and infection associated anorexia and cachexia; development of obesity and metabolic syndrome in response to in utero programming (maternal and fetal undernutrition, stress or infection)
RESEARCH TECHNIQUES
Immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, gene expression analysis, RT-PCR, genetic mouse models, rodent (mouse and rat) behavior, rodent surgery.
RESEARCH SUMMARY
Research in the laboratory focuses on the central nervous system pathways that regulate appetite and metabolism.
In response to illness and infection, a common response is loss of appetite, an energy conserving behavior for foraging animals. However, this anorexia can persist in certain patients with chronic infections (HIV, TB) or cancers, and is often accompanied by a significant metabolic disorder, cachexia. Studies in the lab are directed at clarifying the role of the melanocortin system in this response by identifying sites of action within the CNS.
In utero programming refers to the process by which a stimulus or insult during critical periods of growth and development has lasting effects on the structure or function of a tissue or bodily system. We are interested in defining the CNS mechanisms that mediate the development of obesity and metabolic syndrome in response to in utero challenges (maternal malnutrition, infection or stress).
Key words: obesity, neuropeptides, Fos mapping, hypothalamus, mouse model, rats, appetite, metabolism, NPY, melancortin
