Riera Lab

The Riera Laboratory investigates the neural mechanisms that govern whole-body metabolic processes. We focus on identifying the neurochemical identity of hypothalamic neurons involved in metabolic control, mapping the circuits through which they drive physiological responses and defining the sensory and hormonal signals that modulate their activity. A major area of interest is understanding how aging and metabolic diseases such as obesity impair these neuronal pathways and how these dysfunctions can be targeted for therapeutic intervention. We use cell-specific viral vectors targeting brain neurons, neuron activity mapping, chemogenetic stimulation and neuron calcium imaging to examine the role of specific cell types in metabolism. We also use diet-induced obesity, diabetes and neurodegenerative disease models to examine the maladaptive consequences of neuronal dysfunction in disease.

The Riera Laboratory is affiliated with the Cedars-Sinai Center for Neural Sciences and Medicine, Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Department of Neurology.