David L. Archer President | Christian Brothers University website

MEMPHIS - Christian Brothers University (CBU) has been awarded a research grant of $205,900 from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. The grant will fund a two-year study on lipid oxidation in skeletal muscles under the direction of Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Jaycob Dalton Warfel.

In a statement, Congressman Steve Cohen commended CBU and Professor Warfel for their important metabolic research. He stated, "It is always good to see the National Institutes of Health investing in research by our outstanding Memphis educational institutions."

Dr. Jaycob Warfel, who previously conducted research at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, explained the focus of the study. He said, "Our research aims to test the hypothesis that female mammals can bypass HuR controlled metabolism through increased cycling of the ovarian hormone estrogen. This project has the potential to enhance our understanding of why changes in estrogen levels can contribute to metabolic decline."

Dr. Warfel also emphasized the significance of the project in advancing knowledge and improving health outcomes. He added, "We are enthusiastic about the data this project will generate, and for the opportunity to engage our outstanding undergraduates with nationally recognized biomedical research."

The research team at CBU will work with collaborators and undergraduate research associates to explore how cells sense and switch between different fuel sources. Their previous work has identified an important cellular machine called HuR, which plays a role in maintaining the skeletal muscle cell's ability to use sugars and fats as fuel. The team's findings have also shown that HuR is more essential for regulating metabolism in male muscle compared to female muscle.

With the funding provided by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, CBU and Dr. Warfel aim to expand their knowledge of metabolic processes and the impact of estrogen on metabolism. The results of this study could contribute to the development of interventions and treatments for metabolic decline.

This grant not only recognizes the research capabilities of CBU but also highlights the commitment of the National Institutes of Health to invest in the research conducted by educational institutions in Memphis. The collaboration between CBU and the Pennington Biomedical Research Center demonstrates the importance of interdisciplinary partnerships in advancing scientific understanding.

CBU and Dr. Warfel's research project holds great promise for uncovering new insights into metabolism and its relationship to estrogen levels. The funding provided will support their efforts in generating valuable data and engaging undergraduate students in groundbreaking biomedical research.