The Schwartz laboratory investigates the role of the brain in the control of both energy balance and glucose homeostasis with a focus on how defects in these systems contribute to the pathogenesis of obesity and diabetes. Our lab, in collaboration with the lab of Greg Morton, has shown that circulating hormones (such as leptin) can act in the brain to normalize elevated blood glucose levels in diabetic animals by powerfully activating insulin-independent processes. Specifically, our work centers on the concept that when the brain senses that body energy content and nutrient availability are in sufficient supply, further increases of stored energy (in the form of fat) and circulating nutrients (e.g., glucose) are resisted. Consequently, a decrease in neuronal input from one or more of these afferent signals alerts the brain to a current or pending deficiency of stored energy or nutrient availability. In turn, the brain activates responses that increase food intake, reduce energy expenditure, and raise circulating levels of glucose and other nutrients. Under normal circumstances, the resultant increase of body fat content and plasma levels of glucose, leptin, insulin, and free fatty acids are sensed in the brain, such that the adaptive response to nutritional deprivation is terminated upon the return of body fat mass and blood glucose levels to their original values. However, defects in the ability to mount, sense or respond to these humoral signals by neurocircuits in the mediobasal hypothalamus are proposed to be highly prevalent in human populations, and these defects collectively can set in motion a vicious cycle of weight gain, insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion that can lead to type 2 diabetes.
In addition to our work investigating the central actions of leptin on energy balance and glucose metabolism over >2 decades, our lab focuses on the anti-diabetic effects of members of the FGF family, including FGF19, FGF21 and FGF1. In each case, the brain has emerged as a key target for these beneficial effects. Of particular interest is that in both rat and mouse models of T2D, a single injection of FGF1 into the brain induces diabetes remission that is sustained for weeks or months. We have subsequently localized this unprecedented effect to the mediobasal hypothalamus, and our current work investigates the hypothesis that defective glucose sensing in this brain area contributes to diabetes pathogenesis, and that this defect is ameliorated by the action of FGF1 in this brain area. Accordingly, ongoing studies aimed at delineating the cellular and molecular underpinnings of this effect have important implications at both a basic science and translational level. A key long-term goal is to translate these findings into novel approaches to the treatment of T2D.
Another area of active research pertains to perineuronal nets (PNNs), extracellular matrix (ECM) specializations that enmesh key neurons in a circuit and thereby regulate their function. We recently showed that neurons crucial for metabolic homeostasis located at the junction of the arcuate nucleus and median eminence (a mediobasal hypothalamic area specialized for sensing humoral signals) are enmeshed by PNNs. Our ongoing studies seek to determine the role played by these PNN-enmeshed neurons in how the brain senses glucose and other relevant humoral signals.
Members of the Laboratory
Michael W. Schwartz, MD
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Co-Director, UW Diabetes Institute
RH Williams Endowed Chair in Medicine
Kimberly Alonge, PhD
Research Fellow Dr. Kimberly Alonge completed her Bachelor of Science at Salisbury University before completing a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in the laboratory of Dr. Hillgarter at West Virginia University. In 2017, she accepted a post-doctoral fellowship in the laboratory of Dr. Schwartz at the University of Washington within the Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition. Dr. Alonge's work focuses on elucidating the functional role of hypothalamic perineuronal net extracellular matrix structures in central blood glucose regulation. Dr. Alonge was awarded UW's SLU trainee of 2018 for her dedication and scientific advancements to the field of diabetes and metabolism.
Marie Bentsen, PhD
Research Fellow
Dr. Marie A. Bentsen completed her Master of Science at the
University of Copenhagen, Denmark, before completing a PhD in
the laboratory of Thue W. Schwartz at the University of Copenhagen.
In 2017, she accepted a 1-year bridging post-doctoral fellowship in
the laboratory of Dr. Tune H. Pers at the University of Copenhagen
and received additional independent funding to pursue a postdoctoral
fellowship in the laboratory of Dr. Michael W. Schwartz at the
University of Washington within the Division of Metabolism,
Endocrinology and Nutrition. Her work focuses on understanding
the brains role in metabolic disorders by studying the transcriptional
signatures of rodent brains in health and disease.
Jenny Brown, BS
Graduate Student
Jenny completed her BS in Biology from Cal State Monterey Bay.
She subsequently moved to Seattle, where she matriculated in the
Molecular Medicine and Mechanisms of Disease (M3D) PhD program
at the University of Washington. She elected to conduct her thesis
work under the mentorship of Dr. Michael Schwartz within the
Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition. The goal of her
research work is to examine the mechanisms whereby FGF1 action
in the brain regulates glucose homeostasis.
Hong Nguyen
Research Scientist / Lab Manager
Hong Nguyen is the Laboratory Manager/Research Scientist 3. She has a Bachelor of Science and been a key lab member for many years. Her work specializes in immunohistochemistry and molecular biology techniques and she is skilled in imaging and quantitative analysis for both cells and tissues.
Kayoko Ogimoto, PhD
Research Scientist
Kayoko completed a Doctor of Philosophy in Exercise Physiology with an integrated minor of Biochemistry, Nutrition and Veterinary Physiology at the Oregon State University She joined the lab in 2002 and is a Research Scientist 4. Kayoko works with investigators to streamline the study implementation for the UW Medicine Energy Balance Core. She oversees the data collection and is responsible for the organization, formatting, processing and biostatistical data analysis of indirect calorimetry and related service for rodents.
Kevin Velasco
Research Scientist
Kevin Velasco completed his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at the University of Washington and joined the laboratory in 2015. He is an expert in molecular biology and is responsible for RNA/DNA extractions, RT-PCR, ELISA, Western blot analysis and perfusions.
Trista Harvey
Research Scientist
Trista has a Master of Animal Science degree from the University of Melbourne and has worked in the laboratory since 2016. She is our Animal Studies Coordinator and is responsible for rodent metabolic phenotyping studies including central and peripheral injections and measures of energy and glucose homeostasis.
Jarrell Nelson
Research Scientist
Jarrell Nelson joined the lab in 2010 and is a Research Scientist 1. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Zoology at Washington State University and is responsible for the performance of indirect calorimetry, ambulatory activity, body temperature, running wheel studies and insulin/glucose tolerance tests.
Vincent Damian
Research Scientist
Vincent Damian graduated with a B.A. Philosophy, B.S. Biochemistry, University of Washington and joined the lab in 2011 as a Research Scientist 1. He is a Colony Manager and his research responsibilities include: Murine Genetics, Gene Expression Technologies, Operation Management, Project Management
Bao Anh Phan
Research Scientist
Bao Anh Phan recently joined the laboratory in 2017. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at the University of Washington. She is an expert in histology, with the performance of cryostat sectioning, immunohistochemical staining and western blot analysis
Contact Us
UW Medicine Diabetes Institute
750 Republican Street, Box 358062
Seattle, WA 98109
Fax: (206) 897-5293
Laboratory Manager Hong Nguyen: (206) 897-5283
Laboratory Main Line: (206) 897-5280
Michael Schwartz: mschwart@uw.edu
Kimberly Alonge: kalonge@uw.edu
Marie Bentsen: mariebe@uw.edu
Jenny Brown: jennymb@uw.edu
Hong Nguyen: hongtng@uw.edu
Vincent Damian: vinnied@uw.edu
Trista Harvey: harveytj@uw.edu
Bao Anh Phan: baphan@uw.edu
Kayoko Ogimoto: ogimotok@uw.edu
Jarrell Nelson: jtn3@uw.edu
Kevin Velasco: kevronv@uw.edu
To inquire about Postdoctoral and Graduate Student Openings click on: mschwart.uw.edu