Rajatava Basu, Ph.D.
Responsibilities & Activities
As a program director in the Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, & Metabolic Diseases, I oversee programs focused on the physiologic contribution of the immune system to the development, severity and resolution of non-autoimmune Diabetes, Obesity and associated metabolic syndromes. Research topics under the DEM INFL program areas include: mechanism of crosstalk between the immune and the metabolic systems; mechanisms of environment-microbiome-host immune interactions in regulating metabolic homeostasis during diabetes, obesity and associated metabolic syndromes; metabolic dysregulation influencing the phenotype and function of innate and adaptive immune cells. The program includes novel immune interventions or immunotherapeutic strategies to prevent, halt, or reverse T2 Diabetes, Obesity, and metabolic syndromes. Additionally, studies that investigate the effects of diabetes, obesity, and metabolic perturbations on neuroinflammation are also included in the portfolio.
Research Programs
Neurobiology of Obesity
Neurobiology of energy homeostasis and peripheral metabolism. Basic studies on homeostatic and hedonic contributions to obesity and type 2 diabetes. Neurobiology of food appraisal, motivation, memory and foraging.
Pathophysiology of Diabetes & Metabolic Disease
Whole body intermediary carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism, energy balance, thermogenesis and mitochondria biology in obesity and diabetes
Committees & Working Groups
- NIDDK Obesity Research Working Group, Member
- NIH Chronic Inflammation Working Group, Member
- NIDDK Pancreas Working Group, Member
Select Experience
Assistant Professor, UAB Heersink School of Medicine, 2016 - 2022
Research Associate & CCFA Fellow, UAB Heersink School of Medicine, 2015 - 2016
Postdoctoral fellow, UAB Heersink School of Medicine, 2009 - 2014