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The Morton Laboratory

The Morton laboratory examines the role of the brain in the regulation of energy balance and glucose metabolism and how defects in this control system may contribute to the development of obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes.

The Morton laboratory examines the role of the brain in the regulation of energy balance and glucose metabolism and how defects in this control system may contribute to the development of obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes.

Diabetes is a major health concern that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and is a leading cause of blindness, leg amputation, and kidney failure. This highlights the need for innovative research to develop and support new approaches to diabetes treatment. Ever since its discovery, research has primarily focused on the pancreatic hormone, insulin in the control of blood glucose levels. This research effort has provided clear evidence linking the development of diabetes to defects in insulin secretion and action. However, growing evidence suggests that the brain also plays an important role in maintaining glycemic control. Thus, when blood glucose deviates from its defended level, the brain, working in tandem with the islet, engages homeostatic responses that return it into the defended range. For example, during conditions of low blood glucose levels (i.e. hypoglycemia), the brain mounts integrated behavioral, autonomic and neuroendocrine responses that restore low blood glucose levels to normal. Conversely, the brain has the inherent capacity to normalize diabetic hyperglycemia in response to either leptin or fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF1), raising the possibility that the brain is a potential target for the treatment of diabetes. Our overarching goal is to identify the neurocircuits in the brain that mediate this effect and understand how they communicate to peripheral tissues to control blood sugars.

Among ongoing projects in the Morton lab are studies that seek to identify neurocircuits that regulate blood glucose levels during environmental, physiological and homeostatic challenges such as hypoglycemia and cold exposure. To accomplish this, we utilize state-of-the-art neuroscience approaches, including both “optogenetics and DREADD” methodologies to selectively activate or inhibit specific neuronal populations in combination with genetic, molecular biological and immunohistochemical techniques. This research effort is supported by a talented, dedicated research team and we collaborate with colleagues both within the University of Washington, including the laboratory of Michael Schwartz, and around the USA. Overall, our research identifies the brain as a possible new avenue for diabetes drug development.

Click here for information on how you can support the Morton Laboratory research.

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Current Laboratory Members

Dedicated UWMDI professionals committed to diabetes research.

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Gregory Morton, PhD
Research Professor of Medicine Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Director, Diabetes and Metabolism Program, UW Medicine Diabetes Institute
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Jennifer Deem, PhD
Pfizer, Senior Manager, HTA Value & Evidence, Hematology
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Kayoko Ogimoto, PhD
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Vincent Damian, BS
Research Scientist
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Bao Anh Phan, BS
Research Scientist, Lab Manager
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Jarrell Nelson
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Tammy Doan
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Shannon Hu

Former Trainees

Dedicated UWMDI professionals committed to diabetes research.

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Chelsea Faber, PhD
Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Barrows Neurological Institute

Contact Us

UW Medicine Diabetes Institute
750 Republican Street, Box 358062
Seattle, WA 98109

Gregory Morton: (206) 897-5292
Laboratory: (206) 897-5280
Email: gjmorton@uw.edu

To inquire about Postdoctoral and Graduate Student Openings click on: gjmorton@uw.edu