Compartmentalisation of liver lipid flux determines atherogenic lipoprotein production and liver fat accumulation: the relevance of dietary macronutrient composition

Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) leads to atherogenic dyslipidaemia, but how lipid fluxes drive both MAFLD and hyperlipidaemia remains undetermined, therefore therapeutic targets remain undefined.

My aim is to determine the roles of hepatic lipid compartmentalisation and the contribution of different fatty acid sources to atherogenic lipoprotein production using human whole-body and in vitro cellular studies in combination with nutritional and genetic tools and stable-isotope tracer methodologies.

A series of detailed experimental medicine approaches with relevant nutritional interventions will be used to understand mechanisms of disease.

The findings will aid in the development of future evidence-based nutritional guidelines whilst defining new pathways to explain the link between diet and risk of cardiovascular disease.

By determining the metabolic cascades that are responsible for transmitting diet to disease, I will provide insight into dietary approaches and pathways for pharmacological targeting, for prevention and treatment of MAFLD and atherogenic dyslipidaemia.