About the Lab
The Chen lab focuses on identifying the origins of, investigating the molecular mechanisms that regulate the development of, and determining how pathological conditions, such as obesity, type II diabetes, cancer, and aging impact adipocyte stem/progenitor cells. Our approaches include generating novel lineage tracing mouse models to genetically trace the origins of specific types of adipocyte stem/progenitor cells.
We also apply Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting, in vitro cell culture, and next generation sequencing to study how these adipocyte stem/progenitor cells develop in vitro and delineate the transcriptome landscape that regulate the development of these adipocyte stem/progenitor cells.
Through these studies, we hope to identify unique adipocyte stem/progenitor cells and transcriptome regulators that can be used as potential therapeutic candidates to treat human diseases that arise from adipose tissue dysregulation.
Primary Investigator
Dr. Miao-Hsueh Chen's research focuses on understanding how adipose tissue (white, brown, and beige) develops and function under normal and pathological conditions, such as obesity, a risk factor for type II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers.
Research Projects
View a listing of the current research projects for the Chen Lab.
Publications
Our research projects and studies result in publications in PubMed and other scientific journals.
USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center
The Chen Lab is part of the Children's Nutrition Research Center which houses state-of-the-art laboratories, a vast array of equipment, a greenhouse, observation labs, research volunteer accommodations, a metabolic kitchen, and an elite group of scientists conducting groundbreaking research.
Miao-Hsueh (Ashley) Chen Lab
USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center
1100 Bates Ave.
Houston, TX 77030
Phone: 713-798-0357 / Email: miaohsuc@bcm.edu