Oksana Gavrilova, Ph.D.
Professional Experience
- Staff Scientist and Core Director, Mouse Metabolism Core Laboratory, NIDDK, NIH, 2002-present
- Staff Scientist, Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Obesity Branch, NIDDK, NIH, 2000-2002
- Visiting Research Fellow, Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Obesity Branch, NIDDK, NIH, 1994-2000
- Research Fellow, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 1993-1994
- Research Scientist, Institute of Genetics and Selection of Industrial Microorganisms, 1987-1993
- Ph.D., Institute of Genetics and Selection of Industrial Microorganisms, 1989
- M.S., Moscow State University, 1983
Research Goal
Our goal is to understand how environmental and genetic causes affect metabolism.
Current Research
The primary objective of the Mouse Metabolism Core is to support research in the area of obesity and diabetes by providing standardized, high-quality phenotyping services for mouse models of diabetes, obesity, and related disorders. Our services include analysis of body composition, food intake, energy expenditure, body temperature, as well as glucose and lipid metabolism. We also perform measurements of major metabolites and hormones in mouse serum and provide hands-on training in methods commonly used for analyses of energy and glucose metabolism in rodents.
Applying our Research
This research will help us understand the mechanisms underlying obesity and diabetes. It will also facilitate the development of treatments for these diseases.
Need for Further Study
In spite of the prevalence of obesity and diabetes in modern society, our understanding of their molecular basis is rudimentary. In particular, we need to learn more about the role of the central nervous system in the regulation of energy balance and glucose metabolism.
Select Publications
- Beyond day and night: The importance of ultradian rhythms in mouse physiology.
- Škop V, Liu N, Xiao C, Stinson E, Chen KY, Hall KD, Piaggi P, Gavrilova O, Reitman ML.
- Mol Metab (2024 Jun) 84:101946. Abstract/Full Text
- Lipodystrophy in methylmalonic acidemia associated with elevated FGF21 and abnormal methylmalonylation.
- Manoli I, Sysol JR, Head PE, Epping MW, Gavrilova O, Crocker MK, Sloan JL, Koutsoukos SA, Wang C, Ktena YP, Mendelson S, Pass AR, Zerfas PM, Hoffmann V, Vernon HJ, Fletcher LA, Reynolds JC, Tsokos MG, Stratakis CA, Voss SD, Chen KY, Brown RJ, Hamosh A, Berry GT, Chen XS, Yanovski JA, Venditti CP.
- JCI Insight (2024 Feb 22) 9. Abstract/Full Text
Research in Plain Language
We characterize various aspects of obesity and diabetes in mice. We use special instruments to measure body composition, body temperature, food intake, metabolic rates, and activity in mice. To study diabetes, we test how well mice respond to insulin, and whether they secrete enough insulin to control their glucose levels.