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Profile - Marcia Abbott
Marcia Abbott
Contact Information
E-mail: mjabbott@usc.edu
Phone: (213) 740-8916
Mail Code: 0371
Started at USC: Fall 2005
Education:
2005 – present
Ph.D. Candidate, Integrative & Evolutionary Biology
University of Southern California, Los Angeles
2000 – 2002
M.S., Exercise Science
Thesis: “The Effects of Exercise Intensity on Substrate Utilization Post Exercise and Post Feeding”
Miami University, Oxford
1996 – 2000
B.S., Exercise Physiology
Minor in Psychology
Ohio University, Athens
Faculty Advisor(s):
Dr. Lorraine Turcotte, Kinesiology
Research Topics:
fatty acid uptake, oxidation in skeletal muscle, lipid metabolism
Research Description:
To elucidate the signaling mechanisms involved in the regulation of fatty acid uptake and oxidation in skeletal muscle. Additional focus on the effects of exercise, obesity, and insulin resistance in the regulation of lipid metabolism.
Research Abstract:
Over the past 10,000 years, the human genotype has developed and mutated towards energy conservation. However, in the 21st century this has been shown to be detrimental and to lead to several metabolic pathologies including Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers (US Department of Health and Human Services, 1996). It has become clear that obesity is a growing and serious problem in our modern society. Obesity has been linked to numerous diseases and disorders, including type II diabetes resulting in health care costs upwards of $117 billion a year. In turn, Type II diabetes is known to be caused in part by alterations in fat and carbohydrate metabolism. While the exact cellular mechanisms that lead to these alterations in metabolism and, ultimately, to Type II diabetes have not been clearly defined, it has recently become clear that AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is involved in the progression of the disease. AMPK is a signaling intermediate that is generally recognized as a “fuel sensor” within the skeletal muscle cell. In line with this notion, it has been shown to be involved in the regulation of fatty acid and glucose metabolism. Thus, AMPK appears to play a critical role in the regulation of metabolism in muscle, and lower AMPK capacity negatively impacts the ability of the enzyme to perform its cellular functions and is associated with the development of obesity and Type II diabetes.
Recent Publications:
Abbott, M.J. and Turcotte, L.P.�� CaMKK is an upstream signal for AMPK in the regulation of fatty acid metabolism in rat skeletal muscle.�� Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol.�� Will be submitted March 2009
Kelly, K.R., Abbott, M.J., and Turcotte, L.P.�� Short-term AMPK activation enhances insulin-sensitive FA uptake and oxidation in L6 muscle cells.�� Metabolism.�� Submitted Jan 2009.
Kelly, K.R., Sung, C.K., Abbott, M.J., and Turcotte, L.P.�� PI3K-dependent insulin regulation of LCFA metabolism in L6 muscle cells:�� Involvement of aPKC-�� in LCFA uptake but not oxidation.�� Journal of Endocrinol.�� 198:375-84, 2008
Undergraduate Student Volunteers:
For the past four years, I have had numerous undergraduates work with me on my research projects. I currently have an Undergraduate Research Associates Program grant for this school year, in which I pay students a stipend to assist me with my research aims. Furthermore, I have had students obtain funding from the Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) program, Provost Fellowships, SOAR Fellowships, SURF Fellowships, and Rose Hills Fellowships. I have found undergraduate students to be extremely helpful, and they have gained invaluable experience as well.
CV: Click to view