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Health Sciences; Medical Sciences

Thierry Alquier

Neurobiologie de l'obésité

Professeur titulaire

Faculté de médecine - Département de médecine

thierry.alquier@umontreal.ca

Secondary number: 514 890-8000 #23628 (Travail 1)
Secondary email: thierry.alquier@umontreal.ca (Travail)

Media

Fondateur et membre du comité scientifique de Bêtagenex

 - © Université de Montréal

Profile

Research expertise

Excessive consumption of nutrients with high caloric density is in part responsible for the epidemics of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Western countries. Excessive caloric intake and obesity negatively affect intermediary metabolism, insulin secretion, and insulin action in peripheral and central insulin-sensitive tissues (e.g. fat, muscle, liver and central nervous system) which in turn, at least in genetically predisposed individuals, leads to T2D. In the central nervous system, it is now well established that the hypothalamus is a crucial integrative center for the control of energy homeostasis. The hypothalamus controls food intake as well as the metabolic and endocrine activity of several peripheral tissues (e.g. liver, pancreas, adipose tissues and muscle) via the autonomic nervous system. Our laboratory is interested by the role of the hypothalamo-pancreatic axis in the pathogenesis of T2D. We are investigating the mechanisms leading to impaired sensing of nutrients in neurons of the hypothalamus in response to fuel surfeit and their involvement in the nervous control of beta cell biology and plasticity, insulin secretion and sensitivity. We are also interested in the neural adaptations that may occur in the hypothalamus in response to fuel surfeit and how they could contribute to the development of T2D.

Biography

Thierry Alquier received his graduate training in Cellular Biology and Physiology at Université Paul Sabatier in Toulouse (France) under the mentorship of Dr Luc Pénicaud. His PhD thesis investigated the role of insulin and the insulin-sensitive glucose transporter GLUT4 in the central nervous system on the neural control of glucose homeostasis. As an American Diabetes Association and Fondation Bettencourt Schueller-funded postdoctoral fellow, he joined the laboratory of Dr Barbara Kahn at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston to pursue training in hypothalamic control of energy metabolism and neuroendocrinology. There, his work identified the role of the hypothalamic AMP-activated protein Kinase (AMPK) in nutrient-sensing mechanisms and in food intake regulation. Dr Alquier pursued his training in Montréal as a Canadian Diabetes Association postdoctoral fellow to study nutrient-sensing mechanisms in the pancreatic ß-cell in the laboratory of Dr Vincent Poitout where he investigated the role of the fatty acid receptor GPR40 in the control of ß-cell function and insulin secretion. In 2009, Dr Alquier became a member of the Montreal Diabetes Research Center and was appointed Assistant Professor at the Departement of Medecine and Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Departement of Pathology & Cellular Biology in the Faculty of Medicine at Université de Montréal. Dr Alquier’s laboratory is located at the Technopôle Angus research site of the Centre de Recherche du CHUM.

education

  • 2009 — Études postdoctorales, Endocrinologie et diabète de type 2 (2006-2009) — EndocrinologieUdM-CRCHUM
  • 2006 — Études postdoctorales, Neuroendocrinologie et obésité (2003-2006) — Endocrinologie, NeurosciencesHarvard Medical School-BIDMC
  • 2002 — Doctorat (PhD), Physiopathologie — Neurosciences, PhysiologieUniversité Paul Sabatier III

Affiliations and responsabilities

Research affiliations

Research units

Membre

Affiliated institutions

  • Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM)

Teaching and supervision

Projects

Research projects

2021 - 2028

Central control of energy homeostasis by neuronal adipose triglyceride lipase

Lead researcher : Thierry Alquier
Co-researchers : Elizabeth Rideout
Funding sources: IRSC/Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada
Grant programs: PVXXXXXX-(PJT) Subvention Projet
2020 - 2021

Supplément COVID-19 CRSNG_Role of PEDF/ATGL signalling in the central control of energy homeostasis

Lead researcher : Thierry Alquier
Funding sources: CRSNG/Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et génie du Canada (CRSNG)
Grant programs: PVXXXXXX-Supplément à l’appui des étudiants, des stagiaires postdoctoraux et du personnel de soutien à la recherche COVID-19
2015 - 2018

Rôle des endozépines dans le contrôle hypothalamique de la balance énergétique

Lead researcher : Thierry Alquier
Funding sources: FRQS/Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé (FRSQ)
Grant programs: PVXXXXXX-Bourse de chercheur-boursier : Junior 2
2015 - 2016

A novel role for pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF)/adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) signaling in the hypothalamic control of energy balance

Lead researcher : Thierry Alquier
Funding sources: Diabète Québec
Grant programs:
2015 - 2016

Programme de dépannage CRCHUM

Lead researcher : Thierry Alquier
Funding sources: Fondation du CHUM/Fondation du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM)
Grant programs:
2010 - 2015

ROLE OF THE HYPOTHALAMO-PANCREATIC AXIS IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF TYPE 2 DIABETES

Lead researcher : Thierry Alquier
2013 - 2014

ROLE DE LA PROTEINE DE LIAISON AUX ACYL-COA (ACBP) DANS LA SECRETION D'INSULINE ET L'HOMEOSTASIE GLUCIDIQUE

Lead researcher : Thierry Alquier
Funding sources: Société Francophone du Diabète
Grant programs:
2012 - 2013

CENTRAL LIPID SIGNALLING AND REGULATION OF ENERGY BALANCE

Lead researcher : Thierry Alquier
Funding sources: FCI/Fondation canadienne pour l'innovation
Grant programs:
2012 - 2013

CENTRAL LIPID SIGNALLING AND REGULATION OF ENERGY BALANCE

Lead researcher : Thierry Alquier
Funding sources: Regroupement de compagnies, corporations canadiennes
Grant programs:
2010 - 2013

ROLE DE L'AXE HYPOTHALAMO-PANCREATIQUE DANS LA PATHOGENIE DU DIABETE DE TYPE 2

Lead researcher : Thierry Alquier
2010 - 2013

ROLE DE L'AXE HYPOTHALAMO-PANCREATIQUE DANS LA PATHOGENIE DU DIABETE DE TYPE 2

Lead researcher : Thierry Alquier
Funding sources: FRQS/Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé (FRSQ)
Grant programs: PVXXXXXX-Établissement de jeunes chercheurs Juniors 1

Outreach

Publications and presentations

Disciplines

  • Neurosciences
  • Physiology

Areas of expertise

  • Neuronal and Synaptic Activity
  • Neuronal Communication and Neurotransmission
  • Diabetes
  • Glucotoxicity
  • Metabolic Diseases
  • Energy Metabolism
  • Neurotoxicity
  • Obesity
  • Pancreas
  • Physiology
  • Receptors and Carriers
  • Cell Signaling (Neurosciences)