In this context, the Chilean Biological Society invited young researchers to apply for the Humberto Maturana award. Thus, in the words of the evaluation committee, they highlighted that “All the candidates presented themselves with highly commendable resumes, so the decision was particularly difficult.”
In this scenario, the application of Dr. María José Barahona, a postdoctoral researcher belonging to the Laboratory of Neurobiology and Stem Cells (NeuroCellT) was outstanding, being selected among the winners of the award for scientific excellence awarded by the Biology Society of Chile.
Dr. Barahona’s application was awarded based on her curricular background, scientific career, line of research, a great diffusion to society and novelty of the proposal entitled: Tanycytes control peripheral adiposity and energy balance via the glucose-6-phosphatase system,
In this regard, Dr. Barahona explains that “the glucose-6-phosphatase system is a mechanism that promotes the release of glucose in hypoglycemia, mainly in tissues that export glucose, such as the liver.”
“The work that will be presented in a plenary talk at the Chilean Biology Society shows for the first time that the glucose-6-phosphatase system is not only expressed in the liver, but also in hypothalamic glial cells called tanycytes.
Through a series of approaches live we have determined that the glucose-6-phosphatase system is necessary to control fat deposits in white adipose tissue. Surprisingly, we determined that the genetic inhibition of one of the components of the glucose-6-phosphatase system generates a rapid loss of peripheral fat, reducing body weight. In this way, we propose for the first time tanycytes as possible anti-obesity therapeutic targets.”
The postdoctoral work of Dr. Barahona carried out together with her sponsor, Dr. Francisco Nualart, will soon be published. In this way, the research carried out in the NeuroCellT laboratory will suggest that tanycytes are essential for the control of peripheral lipid metabolism.
Dr. Barahona will receive her award and present part of her research at the “Symposium of Young Scientists-Professor Dr. Humberto Maturana” to be held on December 5, 6 and 7 at the Enjoy Hotel in Pucón.
