Neuroendocrinology regulation of stress and metabolism

Nile tilapia is one of the most cultured finfish in global aquaculture. Our lab utilizes Nile tilapia to gain a mechanistic understanding of the hypothalamic pathways that regulate metabolic and stress-related homeostasis. Serving as the homeostasis control center in all vertebrates, the hypothalamus regulates adaptation to physiological and psychological challenges from the internal and external environments. As in other vertebrates, the hypothalamic region in the fish brain regulates various basal body functions, including metabolism and stress-related functions.

From the aquaculture perspective, impaired regulation of metabolic physiology or stress responses impair the immunity and growth of the fish, resulting in significantly reduced aquaculture production.

Aiming to improve productivity and fish welfare in aquaculture, we study neuroendocrine pathways that regulate stress and metabolism. We do so by using Nile tilapia and zebrafish as our model organisms in which we employ classical endocrine, cutting-edge molecular tools, and genome editing.