SEMINAR: "Elucidating the impact of gp130 signalling in lipid and glucose metabolism�

Assistant Professor Vance Matthews obtained his PhD from the University of Western Australia in 2001 in which he identified critical genes involved in the regulation of antibody and cytokine production. He then focussed his research on developing a greater understanding of the role of gp130 ligands such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) in a number of immunopathological diseases. He has completed post-doctoral training in laboratories in Germany, Perth and Melbourne where he was involved in the generation of novel transgenic mouse models and demonstrated the impact that gp130 cytokines play in chronic liver injury and colitis-associated tumorigenesis. In the latter position, he also focused on the therapeutic potential of gp130 receptor cytokines in obesity and type 2 diabetes. Vance has recently returned to Perth to continue his work at the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research where he is a current holder of an NHMRC Career Development Award.

Vance’s seminar will concentrate on his recent work which investigates the involvement of gp130 cytokines in obesity and type 2 diabetes.