INTERNAL MEDICINE RESEARCH
Luke Engelking Lab
Sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs)
Molecular control of lipid metabolism
We seek to determine the molecular mechanisms by which SREBPs control intestinal epithelial proliferation.
We hypothesize that SREBPs maintain homeostasis of intestinal epithelia by producing lipid metabolites that sustain the proliferation of intestinal progenitors.
It is feasible that newly-identified lipid regulators will represent novel therapeutic targets that could be manipulated pharmacologically, and that these lipid signals will provide drug targets for the treatment of colon cancer
Meet the PI
Luke Engelking, M.D., Ph.D.
A physician-researcher, Dr. Engleking earned his doctoral and medical degrees at UT Southwestern, studying under Nobel laureates Michael Brown, M.D., and Joseph Goldstein, M.D. His current research interests include understanding the roles that lipids, particularly cholesterol, play in the growth of intestinal cells both in normal health and in states of uncontrolled growth, such as intestinal cancers like colorectal cancer.
He practices adult gastroenterology and serves as a teaching attending of fellows, residents, and students at Parkland Memorial Hospital. He also serves as the director of the GI genetics clinic at Parkland and at UT Southwestern, which is focused on the care of patients with either known or suspected inherited disorders of polyposis and colorectal cancer, including Lynch syndrome, Familial Adenomatous Polyposis syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, Juvenile Polyposis syndrome, and Cowden syndrome.