The Kahn Lab is investigating the mechanism of insulin action and its alterations in insulin resistant states, including type 2 diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome.

There are 3 major areas of research:

1) Insulin action and insulin resistance. In this area we have projects focusing on the insulin receptor itself, the insulin receptor substrate proteins and the PI 3-kinase pathway, which is central to insulin’s metabolic actions. We also study the role of insulin signaling in aging and age related diseases, including neurodegeneration.

2) Adipose tissue development and function and how it affects insulin sensitivity and risk of metabolic disease.

3) Environmental modifiers of insulin sensitivity, especially the role of diet and the gut microbiome.