The research mission of the Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology (IBP) is dedicated to an integrative systems biology approach to biomedical discovery.

We partner with colleagues across disciplines to investigate questions ranging from the gene/molecule to the whole animal, while striving for excellence in research and dissemination of new knowledge with local, national, and global impact.

Current IBP research is cross-cutting and state-of-the-art in the areas of cardiovascular/muscle, metabolism/obesity and hypertension.

Alejandro Lab

Research projects in the Alejandro lab are aimed to understand the developmental origins of insulin-producing beta-cell dysfunction and to identify novel endogenous modulators of insulin secretion and plasticity for potential treatment.

Bartolomucci Lab

The Bartolomucci Lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms of obesity and stress-induced pathologies. We use an integrative approach to animal patho-physiology that combines state-of-the-art in vivo models with cellular models and molecular techniques. We also emphasize the construct validity of animal models employed to treat specific human diseases. 

Batchelor Lab

The Batchelor Lab focuses on cell stress responses mediated by the tumor suppressor protein p53, as well as other signaling pathways important in cancer prevention and development.

 

Kotz Lab

Our laboratory focuses on brain sites and substrates mediating energy balance, in obesity prone and obesity-resistant animal models. The goal of our laboratory is to understand brain mechanisms important in determining the popensity for obesity.

Liu Lab

The Liu Lab is located in the Cancer and Cardiovascular Research Building (CCRB) at the University of Minnesota. Our lab has access to extensive core facilities and is part of a network of researchers dedicated to collaboration and interdisciplinary research. Research currently focuses on controlling mitochondrial calcium uptake, mitochondrial stress signaling pathways, and mitochondrial calcium and muscle repair.

Metzger Lab

The Metzger Lab seeks mechanistic insights into normal and diseased cardiac muscle function. The lab's overarching goal is to translate basic science discoveries into potential therapeutic strategies to combat inherited and acquired forms of heart disease. Lab projects embrace individuality, emphasize cooperation and collaboration, and encompass a standard of excellence in all that we do as individual researchers and as a laboratory. Its guiding principles are to treat others with respect and courtesy, to maintain the lab in a collegial, safe and professional environment, and to work each day to the fullest of our capabilities.

O'Connell Lab

The O'Connell Lab focuses primarily on the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling in heart failure.

Revelo Lab

Our research investigates the integrative biology of metabolic disease with emphasis on the role of the immune system on obesity and its complications.

Sham Lab

My laboratory focus on the development of consistent and accurate computational models to understand the fundamental forces that governs the biomolecular recognition process. These models serves as the platform for understanding binding selectivity and structure-based drug discovery. We work collaboratively with researchers across the University to develop novel cardiovascular, antiviral, antibacterial and anticancer therapies.

Ruan Lab

The research in the Ruan laboratory is centered on understanding how metabolic homeostasis is maintained at the physiological level and defining the pathological alterations in diseases, including obesity, diabetes, digestive disease, cardiovascular disease, and inflammation. 

Townsend Lab

The Townsend Lab takes an integrative approach to problems relevant to cardiovascular disease and examines cardiac biology from the level of the isolated protein to the intact animal.

Williams Lab

Our overarching research goal is to determine the contributions of the myeloid cell compartment in the pathogenesis of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, like atherosclerosis.

RESEARCH ETHICS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

We are committed to protecting research participants, upholding ethical standards, and improving our practice at every step of our work.