Cell Biology and Imaging Section
Natalie Porat-Shliom, Ph.D.
Research
Liver anatomy plays a vital role in its metabolic functions. Hepatocytes in the liver are organized in hexagonal units called lobules. Within each lobule, blood flows directionally from the corners of the hexagon resulting in gradients of nutrients, oxygen, and hormones along the periportal–pericentral axis. These gradients, in turn, drive spatially distinct gene expression that drives the spatial separation of metabolic functions, a phenomenon known as liver zonation. Despite liver zonation being identified over a century ago, factors that govern this spatial heterogeneity are not fully understood. Even less explored is the impact of liver zonation on liver disease and cancer (Cunningham and Porat-Shliom Front Physiol 2021). Mitochondria serve as the cellular metabolic hub, continuously adjusting their metabolic output depending on environmental cues. However, how liver zonation affects mitochondrial functions is largely unexplored.
Our team investigates the fascinating relationship between liver anatomy and metabolism using murine models and human samples. We perturb hepatic functions using genetic, hormonal, and dietary manipulation and investigate mitochondria responses at the cellular, tissue, and organism levels.
Team
Gallery
Lab Life
LabGiving November 2022
Welcoming Mercedes Cornelius, an iCURE scholar and Graduate student to our team! October 2022
Third anniversary celebration lab lunch (June 2021)
Lab-giving November 2021
Cicada wing under the microscope 2021
Cherry Blossom 2019
Lab Group September 2019
Virtual reality (VR) demo Summer 2019
Virtual reality (VR) demo Summer 2019
Our Microscope is here!! 2019