A Short Biography:
Our laboratory is studying organellar biology with a focus on mitochondria, lysosomes and autophagosomes in
the context of obesity and diabetes. In the past fifteen years the lab has focused on the study of the roles of
mitochondrial dynamics in quality control, fuel preferences and energy expenditure. The lab is known for the
development of key imaging approaches that allow for the quantification of mitochondrial dynamics, motility,
mitophagy and turnover. Using these methodologies to study mitochondrial dynamics we described the life
cycle of the mitochondria and the role of continuous fusion and fission dynamics in the maintenance of
bioenergetic capacity and efficiency in the pancreatic beta cell. The lab played a pivotal role in the
development of cutting edge technology for high throughput respirometry in collaboration with Seahorse
Bioscience which lead to the development of higher throughput approaches for islet respirometry. The lab has
provided training to over 80 different groups in the application of bioenergetics studies such as Respirometry
and imaging. The lab has sustained active and fruitful collaborations with biotech and pharma over the years,
in projects involving drug discovery as well as research and medical device development. The lab has trained
over 14 postdoctoral fellows, of which six have been recruited as faculty in academic institutions, and two are
founders of new biotech companies. Since 2016 I serve as the director of UCLA Metabolism Theme which
facilitate team work and enable research by providing tools guidance to the members of the UCLA metabolism
research community.
Publications:
A selected list of publications:
Montemurro Chiara, Vadrevu Suryakiran, Gurlo Tatyana, Butler Alexandra E, Vongbunyong Kenny E, Petcherski Anton, Shirihai Orian S, Satin Leslie S, Braas Daniel, Butler Peter C, Tudzarova Slavica
Cell cycle-related metabolism and mitochondrial dynamics in a
replication-competent pancreatic beta-cell line
Cell cycle (Georgetown, Tex.),
2017;
1-14.
Mahdaviani Kiana, Benador Ilan Y, Su Shi, Gharakhanian Raffi A, Stiles Linsey, Trudeau Kyle M, Cardamone Maria, Enríquez-Zarralanga Violeta, Ritou Eleni, Aprahamian Tamar, Oliveira Marcus F, Corkey Barbara E, Perissi Valentina, Liesa Marc, Shirihai Orian S
Mfn2 deletion in brown adipose tissue protects from insulin resistance
and impairs thermogenesis
EMBO reports,
2017; 18(7):
1123-1138.
Tkatch Tatiana, Greotti Elisa, Baranauskas Gytis, Pendin Diana, Roy Soumitra, Nita Luliaoana I, Wettmarshausen Jennifer, Prigge Matthias, Yizhar Ofer, Shirihai Orian S, Fishman Daniel, Hershfinkel Michal, Fleidervish Ilya A, Perocchi Fabiana, Pozzan Tullio, Sekler Israel
Optogenetic control of mitochondrial metabolism and Ca(2+) signaling
by mitochondria-targeted opsins
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America,
2017; 114(26):
E5167-E5176.
Zeng Chun, Mulas Francesca, Sui Yinghui, Guan Tiffany, Miller Nathanael, Tan Yuliang, Liu Fenfen, Jin Wen, Carrano Andrea C, Huising Mark O, Shirihai Orian S, Yeo Gene W, Sander Maike
Pseudotemporal Ordering of Single Cells Reveals Metabolic Control of
Postnatal β Cell Proliferation
Cell metabolism,
2017; 25(5):
1160-1175.e11.
Kottakis Filippos, Nicolay Brandon N, Roumane Ahlima, Karnik Rahul, Gu Hongcang, Nagle Julia M, Boukhali Myriam, Hayward Michele C, Li Yvonne Y, Chen Ting, Liesa Marc, Hammerman Peter S, Wong Kwok Kin, Hayes D Neil, Shirihai Orian S, Dyson Nicholas J, Haas Wilhelm, Meissner Alexander, Bardeesy Nabeel
LKB1 loss links serine metabolism to DNA methylation and
tumorigenesis
Nature,
2016; 539(7629):
390-395.
Fetterman Jessica L, Holbrook Monica, Flint Nir, Feng Bihua, Bretón-Romero Rosa, Linder Erika A, Berk Brittany D, Duess Mai-Ann, Farb Melissa G, Gokce Noyan, Shirihai Orian S, Hamburg Naomi M, Vita Joseph A
Restoration of autophagy in endothelial cells from patients with
diabetes mellitus improves nitric oxide signaling
Atherosclerosis,
2016; 247(10):
207-17.