The University of Manitoba campuses are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation. More
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, R3T 2N2
Max Rady College of Medicine
Physiology and Pathophysiology
Room 415 – Basic Medical Sciences Building
745 Bannatyne Avenue
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0J9
Phone: 204-789-3765
Fax: 204-789-3934
tooru.mizuno@umanitoba.ca
The central nervous system (CNS) plays a major role in the regulation of whole-body metabolism. Dr. Tooru Mizuno’s laboratory is interested in how the CNS, in particular the hypothalamus, controls metabolism and neuroendocrine function. Specifically, we investigate how hypothalamic neurons and glial cells regulate metabolism by responding to changes in nutrient (such as glucose and lipids) and hormonal (such as insulin, leptin and gastrointestinal hormones) signals and environmental changes. Techniques being utilized in these studies include animal models, pharmacological treatment, comprehensive analysis of metabolic parameters and behavior, in vitro and ex vivo cell/tissue culture, and molecular and biochemical analysis.
Dr. Mizuno began his studies in animal husbandry at Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine in Japan followed by the University of Miyazaki where he investigated the relationship between endogenous satiety factors, feed intake and digestion in ruminants. He then went to Yokohama City University School of Medicine in Japan to broaden his interest to neuroendocrinology of aging and received his PhD in physiology. Afterwards he went to Fishberg Center for Neurobiology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York where he worked as a research associate, instructor and research assistant professor. In 2003 he took the post of instructor at Harvard Medical School’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. In 2004, after being offered a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair, he joined UM’s physiology and pathophysiology department. He is currently a professor and head of the endocrinology and metabolic disease division. His research focuses on metabolic diseases such as obesity. More specifically, he studies CNS mechanisms of metabolic regulation by nutrients and hormones and investigates how dysregulation/dysfunction of these mechanisms contributes to the pathogenesis of obesity. Notable discoveries include: (1) glucose regulation of leptin gene expression; (2) nutritional regulation of melanocortin gene expression; (3) anti-diabetic effect of central melanocortin; and (4) metabolic action of the gastrointestinal hormone xenin.
Visit Tooru Mizuno's ORCID profile for a complete listing.
Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME)
Max Rady College of Medicine
260 Brodie Centre, 727 McDermot Avenue
University of Manitoba (Bannatyne campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P5 Canada
