Dr Clemence Blouet University positionSenior Research Associate Dr Clemence Blouet is pleased to consider applications from prospective PhD students. DepartmentsDepartment of Clinical Biochemistry InstitutesInstitute of Metabolic Science Home pagehttp://www.mrl.ims.cam.ac.uk/staff/D... Research ThemesInterestsImpairments in central pathways regulating energy homeostasis can cause profound metabolic dysfunctions, but current knowledge is insufficient to develop safe and efficient therapies targeting these pathways. Brain metabolic sensing is based on the activity of specialized cells that can transduce hormonal and nutritional signals to drive endocrine, behavioural and autonomic output circuits regulating energy balance. The Blouet Lab employs a multi-disciplinary approach coupling calcium imaging to characterize the neurophysiology of metabolic-sensing neurons, discrete manipulations of brain neurocircuits and nutrient sensing pathways using cutting-edge molecular genetics, and refined functional assessments in behaving rodents to characterize how nutrients are detected by the brain to maintain energy homeostasis in health and disease. Research Focus
EquipmentBehavioural analysis Confocal microscopy Fluorescence microscopy Immunohistochemistry Microscopy Recombinant protein expression Collaborators
Associated News ItemsKey publicationsCavanaugh AR, Schwartz GJ, Blouet C (2015), “High-fat feeding impairs nutrient sensing and gut brain integration in the caudomedial nucleus of the solitary tract in mice” Plos One Publications2013Blouet C (2013), “[Role of the nucleus of the solitary tract in the detection and integration of multiple metabolic signals].” Med Sci (Paris) 29(5):449-52 Details 2012Blouet C, Liu SM, Jo YH, Chua S, Schwartz GJ (2012), “TXNIP in Agrp neurons regulates adiposity, energy expenditure, and central leptin sensitivity.” J Neurosci 32(29):9870-7 Details Blouet C, Schwartz GJ (2012), “Duodenal lipid sensing activates vagal afferents to regulate non-shivering brown fat thermogenesis in rats.” PLoS One 7(12):e51898 Details Blouet C, Schwartz GJ (2012), “Brainstem nutrient sensing in the nucleus of the solitary tract inhibits feeding.” Cell Metab 16(5):579-87 Details 2011Blouet C, Schwartz GJ (2011), “Nutrient-sensing hypothalamic TXNIP links nutrient excess to energy imbalance in mice.” J Neurosci 31(16):6019-27 Details 2010Blouet C, Schwartz GJ (2010), “Hypothalamic nutrient sensing in the control of energy homeostasis.” Behav Brain Res 209(1):1-12 Details 2009Blouet C, Jo YH, Li X, Schwartz GJ (2009), “Mediobasal hypothalamic leucine sensing regulates food intake through activation of a hypothalamus-brainstem circuit.” J Neurosci 29(26):8302-11 Details 2008Blouet C, Ono H, Schwartz GJ (2008), “Mediobasal hypothalamic p70 S6 kinase 1 modulates the control of energy homeostasis.” Cell Metab 8(6):459-67 Details 2007Azzout-Marniche D, Gaudichon C, Blouet C, Bos C, Mathé V, Huneau JF, Tomé D (2007), “Liver glyconeogenesis: a pathway to cope with postprandial amino acid excess in high-protein fed rats?” Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 292(4):R1400-7 Details Blouet C, Mariotti F, Azzout-Marniche D, Mathé V, Mikogami T, Tomé D, Huneau JF (2007), “Dietary cysteine alleviates sucrose-induced oxidative stress and insulin resistance.” Free Radic Biol Med 42(7):1089-97 Details Blouet C, Mariotti F, Mathe V, Tome D, Huneau JF (2007), “Nitric oxide bioavailability and not production is first altered during the onset of insulin resistance in sucrose-fed rats.” Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 232(11):1458-64 Details Blouet C, Mariotti F, Mikogami T, Tome D, Huneau JF (2007), “Meal cysteine improves postprandial glucose control in rats fed a high-sucrose meal.” J Nutr Biochem 18(8):519-24 Details 2006Blouet C, Mariotti F, Azzout-Marniche D, Bos C, Mathé V, Tomé D, Huneau JF (2006), “The reduced energy intake of rats fed a high-protein low-carbohydrate diet explains the lower fat deposition, but macronutrient substitution accounts for the improved glycemic control.” J Nutr 136(7):1849-54 Details Mariotti F, Hammiche A, Blouet C, Daré S, Tomé D, Huneau JF (2006), “Medium-term methionine supplementation increases plasma homocysteine but not ADMA and improves blood pressure control in rats fed a diet rich in protein and adequate in folate and choline.” Eur J Nutr 45(7):383-90 Details |