Biology Department presents
Sensing of dietary proteins and metabolic regulation through brain-fat body axis in Drosophila melanogaster
Guest Speaker: Muhammad Ahmad
Date: February 18, 2020
Time: 2:00-3:00 pm
Venue: SBASSE Smart Lab Dean’s Office
Host: Dr. Muhammad Tariq
Abstract
Perturbation of the balanced actions of insulin and glucagon can result in a number of physiological diseases. While sugar-mediated control of insulin and glucagon is well-established, little is known about the regulation of these hormonal systems by dietary proteins. Dietary amino acids promote the secretion of Drosophila Insulin-Like Peptides (IPCs) from the Insulin Producing Cells (IPCs). However, the role of amino acids in controlling such metabolic regulation still remains to be determined. Using Ca2+-imaging and ex vivo culture we show that secretion of certain neuropeptides is directly under the control of certain amino acids which subsequently controls metabolism in the fat body of flies (a functional homolog of mammalian liver.
About the speaker
Mr. Ahmad did his Bachelors in Biology from LUMS. He is currently enrolled in the MS Biology Programme for which he went to Harvard Medical School to work as a Research Fellow in Dr. Norbert Perrimon’s lab. His work is focused on interorgan communication and energy homeostasis.
