Michael Dennis Jensen MD, BA

Michael D. Jensen, M.D., and his lab study the effects of obesity and how body fat (adipose tissue) and body fat distribution influence health. The regulated uptake, storage and release of fatty acids from adipose tissue play a major role in determining its health effects.

Dr. Jensen's research involves measuring free fatty acid release in order to relate these factors to organ and tissue function. He also measures the uptake of fatty acids into muscle, liver and adipose tissue in order to determine whether preferential uptake of fat can predispose people to obesity or to a specific body fat distribution. The cellular fates of fatty acids and the cell processes responsible for these steps can be assessed.