Phu V Tran

Early-life environment (i.e., micronutrient deficiency, hypoglycemia, intrauterine growth restriction, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy) can have long-term impact on adult health by increased risk of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, neurocognitive decline. Utilizing preclinical models, we investigate how early-life environment causes permanent change in expression of molecules (e.g., proteins, hormones) that maintain physiological homeostasis, including stress responses, fear and anxiety, and learning and memory. In particular, we focus on growth factors that play critical roles in the neuroendocrine system, a major regulatory system that can be influenced by early-life environment. With this knowledge we hope to uncover molecules that can be targeted for therapeutic development and provide insights into how fetal/neonatal conditions contribute to the risk of adult diseases. These will be essential in developing strategies for treatment and prevention of adulthood pathophysiologies.