Areas of Interest
We study hypothalamic neural circuitry underlying whole-body energy balance and food intake using in vivo transgenic mouse models in the Myers laboratory. My thesis research is focused on defining neural and metabolic/endocrine inputs to a leptin receptor (Lepr) expressing neuronal population located in the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) that is marked by the co-expression of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (Glp1r). Our lab recently defined these inhibitory (GABAergic) LeprGlp1r neurons by snRNA-seq and showed that they play important roles in the control of food intake and energy balance by leptin. Recent studies suggest that GABAergic inputs from DMH Lepr neuronal populations influence the food intake control neurons in the ARC. I am employing novel in vivo viral tools and genomic analysis to the regulation and circuitry of DMH LeprGlp1r to understand their potential role in the control of ARC and other neurons.