Our projects

Immune Regulation of Fasting Lipolysis

When food is unavailable, the body breaks down fat stored in adipose tissue to supply energy to other organs. This process, known as lipolysis, is controlled largely by hormones. Whether immune cells also help regulate this response remains an open question.

The Role of NK Cells in Ketogenesis

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Immune triggered changes in amino acid metabolism

Viral infections trigger coordinated metabolic changes that help the body fight pathogens, yet their effects on amino acids (essential for viral replication, immune responses, and tissue repair) remain poorly understood. This project investigates how communication between the immune system and multiple organs regulates amino acid metabolism during viral infection, and whether activating these pathways can limit viral replication. By combining advanced immunological and metabolic approaches, we aim to lay the foundation for new therapies that strengthen antiviral defense by targeting the body’s metabolism.

Adiponectin and T cells

Hormones help coordinate immune function with the body’s metabolic needs, yet their role in long-term immune protection remains poorly understood. Our project investigates how adiponectin, a hormone produced by fat tissue, shapes the formation and function of memory CD8 T cells and whether altered adiponectin signaling contributes to immune dysfunction in type 2 diabetes. By combining experimental models, advanced molecular analyses and studies of human immune cells, we aim to uncover how communication between the endocrine and immune systems supports lasting immunity in health and metabolic disease.

Contact

Faculty of Medicine

Department of histology & Embryology

Braće Branchetta 20

51000, Rijeka, Croatia