Alan Saltiel Lab

Understanding Insulin, and the molecular link between obesity and diabetes

About Dr. Alan Saltiel 

Dr. Alan R. Saltiel is a cell biologist who researches the hormone insulin and how it relates to obesity, diabetes and other metabolic disorders. 

He holds 19 patents, has published more than 300 original papers and developed drugs for diabetes and cancer. 

About Saltiel Laboratory

The Saltiel laboratory investigates the molecular events involved in the regulation of glucose uptake and storage, with special attention to mechanisms underlying the specificity of the actions of insulin and the links between obesity and diabetes. 

In the News...

Science Daily – February 6, 2020 

Two enzymes control liver damage in NASH

After identifying a molecular pathway that allows nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) to progress into liver cell death, researchers were able to use these pathways to halt further liver damage.

In the News...

Eureka Alert – July 5th, 2018 

Repurposed asthma drug shows blood sugar improvement among some diabetics


After 12 weeks of taking an anti-asthma drug, a subset of patients with type 2 diabetes showed a clinically significant reduction in blood glucose during a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, report University of California San Diego School of Medicine and University of Michigan researchers.

In the News

Science Daily – February 8th 2018

Enzyme plays a key role in calories burned both during obesity and dieting


Ever wonder why obese bodies burn less calories or why dieting often leads to a plateau in weight loss? In both cases the body is trying to defend its weight by regulating energy expenditure. In a new paper, researchers identify the enzyme TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) as a key player in the control of energy expenditure during both obesity and fasting. 

More In the News...

Fierce Biotech – February 8th 2018

Fighting obesity by controlling inflammation


The San Diego Union Tribune - September 22nd 2016

How to battle cancer linked to obesity 


Science - October 10, 2014

New class of fatty molecules battles diabetes in mice


USA Today - July 1, 2013

Study: Canker sore drug made mice skinny

Monthly Metabolism Meetings

Upcoming Metabolism Meetings

December 13, 2023 - Michael Downes, Salk Institute 

January 24, 2024 - Gulcin Pekkurnaz, UCSD

March 20, 2024 - Rajat Singh, UCLA

April 17, 2024 - Anthony J. Covarrubias, UCLA

May 15, 2024 - Wei Ying, UCSD

Past Metabolism Meetings

September 21th, 2022 - Kelly Frazer, UCSD

October 19th, 2022 - Alan R. Saltiel, UCSD

November 16th, 2022 - Emily Wang, UCSD

December 14th, 2022 - Marilyn Ader, Cedars-Sinai

January 18th, 2023 - Tamer Sallam, UCLA

February 15th, 2023 - Steven Mittelman, UCLA

April 19th, 2023 - Alexandra Newton, UCSD

May 17th, 2023 - Randal Kaufman, BPS

September 20, 2023 - Thomas Vallim, UCLA

October 18, 2023 - Vira Kravets, UCSD

November 15, 2023 - Nicolas Musi, Cedars-Sinai


Please join us for our monthly metabolism group meetings on every third Wednesday of the month at 12:00 PM PST   


Hosted by Dr. Alan Saltiel and Dr. Phil Gordts

Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology,

Institute for Diabetes and Metabolic Health

 

12:00 – 1:00 pm PST

BSB Garren Auditorium             

Meeting ID: 927367          

zoom:   http://uchealth.zoom.us/j/87640621467            

Meeting ID: 927367