Welcome to the Bridges Lab

Bridges Lab Photo

We are interested in the factors which cause obesity, the mechanisms by which this happens and how interventions in this pathway can alleviate obesity or its associated diseases. Our group uses a variety of model systems including cell culture, yeast, flies and mice to understand the signaling and metabolic pathways which are involved in these processes. We then use modern molecular biology, genetic and pharmacological tools to manipulate and learn more about the physiology of obesity.

  • Laura Saslow, Alison O'Brien, Kaitlyn Raymond, Hovig Bayandorian, Deanna Marriott, Judith Moskowitz, Jennifer Daubenmier, Dave Bridges, Cody Cousineau and Dina Griauzde. Feasibility and acceptability of an online multicomponent very low-carbohydrate intervention in young adult women with obesity: a pilot study 2024. Pilot and Feasibility Studies 10(1):102 Full Text Details.
  • Michael Saul, Elizabeth Litkowski, Niran Hadad, Amy Dunn, Stephanie Boas, Jon Wilcox, Julia Robbins, Yiyang Wu, Vivek Philip, Gennefer Merrihew, Jea Park, Philip De Jager, Dave Bridges, Vilas Menon, David Bennett, Timothy Hohman, Michael MacCoss and Catherine Kaczorowski. Hippocampus Glutathione S Reductase Potentially Confers Genetic Resilience to Cognitive Decline in the AD-BXD Mouse Population 2024. bioRxiv Full Text Details. Preprint
  • Click here for a full list of papers.

    September 2024 Journal Club Articles

  • Sonsalla MM, Babygirija R, Johnson M, Cai S, Cole M, Yeh CY, Grunow I, Liu Y, Vertein D, Calubag MF, Trautman ME, Green CL, Rigby MJ, Puglielli L, Lamming DW. Acarbose ameliorates Western diet-induced metabolic and cognitive impairments in the 3xTg mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Geroscience. 2024 Sep 14. doi: 10.1007/s11357-024-01337-3. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39271570. 10.1007/s11357-024-01337-3. Discussed on Sept. 30, 2024
  • Bolognini, D., Halgren, A., Lou, R.N. et al. Recurrent evolution and selection shape structural diversity at the amylase locus. Nature (2024). 10.1038/s41586-024-07911-1. Discussed on Sept. 16, 2024
  • April 2024 Journal Club Articles

  • Crujeiras AB, Izquierdo AG, Primo D, Milagro FI, Sajoux I, Jácome A, Fernandez-Quintela A, Portillo MP, Martínez JA, Martinez-Olmos MA, de Luis D, Casanueva FF. Epigenetic landscape in blood leukocytes following ketosis and weight loss induced by a very low calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) in patients with obesity. Clin Nutr. 2021 Jun;40(6):3959-3972. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2021.05.010. Epub 2021 May 21. PMID: 34139469. 10.1016/j.clnu.2021.05.010. Discussed on April 5, 2024
  • March 2024 Journal Club Articles

  • Ryan JP, Karim HT, Aizenstein HJ, Helbling NL, Toledo FGS. Insulin sensitivity predicts brain network connectivity following a meal. Neuroimage. 2018 May 1;171:268-276. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.01.024. Epub 2018 Jan 13. PMID: 29339315; PMCID: PMC5857474. 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.01.024. Discussed on March 29, 2024
  • Berry A, Collacchi B, Capoccia S, D'Urso MT, Cecchetti S, Raggi C, Sestili P, Aricò E, Pontecorvi G, Puglisi R, Ortona E, Cirulli F. Chronic Isolation Stress Affects Central Neuroendocrine Signaling Leading to a Metabolically Active Microenvironment in a Mouse Model of Breast Cancer. Front Behav Neurosci. 2021 Jul 9;15:660738. doi: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.660738. PMID: 34305544; PMCID: PMC8298821. 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.660738. Discussed on March 22, 2024
  • Click here for a full list of journal club articles.

    Lab Photos

    Congratulations to the soon-to-be Dr. Cody Cousineau on the successful completion of his PhD oral defense!

    Congratulations to the soon-to-be Dr. Cody Cousineau on the successful completion of his PhD oral defense!

    Trey’s @uropumich poster on weight gain in diversity outbred mice on a ketogenic diet

    Trey’s @uropumich poster on weight gain in diversity outbred mice on a ketogenic diet

    Congratulations to Jiayin on the successful defense of her MS thesis “Effects of Prenatal Stress on Gestational Complications in the PRESS Study”!

    Congratulations to Jiayin on the successful defense of her MS thesis “Effects of Prenatal Stress on Gestational Complications in the PRESS Study”!

    New preprint from the lab on an association between calcium and cholesterol in diversity outbred mice.

    New preprint from the lab on an association between calcium and cholesterol in diversity outbred mice.

    Painting flower pots to say a fond good bye to our super talented undergrad Claire.  Best of luck on the next steps!

    Painting flower pots to say a fond good bye to our super talented undergrad Claire. Best of luck on the next steps!

    Congratulations Dr. El Habbal 🍾🎉

    Congratulations Dr. El Habbal 🍾🎉

    Lab Christmas Bowling!

    Lab Christmas Bowling!

    Noura presenting her work on mTOR and lactation at Obesity Week

    Noura presenting her work on mTOR and lactation at Obesity Week

    Bridges Lab Halloween @ University of Michigan School of Public Health

    Bridges Lab Halloween @ University of Michigan School of Public Health

    Laura’s graduation pottery night

    Laura’s graduation pottery night

    @clairegleason at her @uropumich poster presenting her research on ketogenic diets in mice.

    @clairegleason at her @uropumich poster presenting her research on ketogenic diets in mice.

    Congratulations to Laura on successful defense on her MS thesis!

    Congratulations to Laura on successful defense on her MS thesis!

    University of Michigan School of Public Health

    University of Michigan School of Public Health

    Great time at Innocence’s going away party! @ Paint and Pour

    Great time at Innocence’s going away party! @ Paint and Pour

    Congratulations on your “escape” from the Bridges lab Lili!

    Congratulations on your “escape” from the Bridges lab Lili!

    Congratulations to our 2018 graduates; Molly, Cody and Detrick! #umsph

    Congratulations to our 2018 graduates; Molly, Cody and Detrick! #umsph

    Ayat presenting her UROP project

    Ayat presenting her UROP project

    Laura and Innocence presenting their work at the MDRC symposium

    Laura and Innocence presenting their work at the MDRC symposium

    Article by Detrick on Meat consumption and some of the evidence associated with it.

    Article by Detrick on Meat consumption and some of the evidence associated with it.

    Moving in!

    Moving in!