CrichtonLab

Our lab's interests cover the molecular and bioenergetic processes that occur in mitochondria and how they relate to our health. Mitochondrial energy transduction and the role of key membrane proteins, uncoupling proteins (UCP1-5) in particular, is a current research focus. Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) is the protein in mammals that allows brown adipose tissue to burn off calories as heat in response to cold temperatures. If activated in humans, UCP1-dependent thermogenesis can contribute to energy expenditure and help combat obesity, diabetes and related disease. Other UCPs have been linked to metabolic disorders, cancer, inflammation, ischemic shock and aging, though their exact function is not clear. Our research aims to resolve the molecular and structural mechanisms that underlie the functioning of mitochondrial proteins and processes, and, importantly, how they may be targeted to treat disease.