The Role of Airborne PCBs in Adipogenesis, Adipose Function, and Metabolic Syndrome

Goal: Determine how airborne PCBs affect the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adolescents.

MetS is a cluster of conditions that includes obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia, which increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type II diabetes.

Aims:

1) Elucidate the functional consequences of airborne PCB exposure on adipogenesis and adipocyte function.

2) Develop a human adipose-liver biomimetic on-chip that allows for facile and accurate testing of the effects of environmental toxicants on adipose function.

3) Determine how airborne PCBs affect adiposity and metabolism.