The metabolic syndrome affects more than one in four adults in our nation, and identifies individuals at high risk for diabetes, cardiovascular disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); however, the underlying pathophysiology remains a mystery.  The overarching goal of the Biddinger Lab is to define, at the molecular level, the links between insulin resistance, atherosclerosis and NAFLD.  In particular, we will integrate biochemical, molecular, cellular, physiological and clinical studies to identify novel targets of insulin that are relevant to human disease.  Ultimately, we hope to develop better treatments for our patients with metabolic syndrome.