In his work, Professor Imbeault focuses on the impact of external influences (exercise and nutritional interventions, hypoxia, pollutants, etc.) on adipose tissue metabolism. All of his research seeks to better understand the pathophysiology, treatment and prevention of obesity and related metabolic disorders.
For thesis supervision requests, email Professor Imbeault.
Pascal Imbeault’s team’s research program aims to better understand regulation of the growth and secretory function of adipose tissue through an integrative approach from the cellular and molecular level to that of the individual. In addition to being a key storage site for energy reserves, white adipose tissue is a crucial player in diverse biological functions. But to perform these functions, its intrinsic need for oxygen must be met.
His team is studying the effects of reduced oxygen availability (or hypoxia) on the metabolism and secretory functions of white adipose tissue. This work aims to better understand humans’ cellular and systemic responses to natural environmental stress, as well as pathological conditions (like sleep apnea) that lead to oxygen deprivation.
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are a wide range of synthetic chemicals that have an intrinsic resistance to natural degradation. A large portion of these environmental contaminants accumulates for years in adipose tissue, the major lipid storage site of the human body. Pascal Imbeault's team studies the effect of POP exposure on adipose tissue function, to better understand the established link between this exposure and the development of obesity and Type 2 diabetes in humans.
