University of Minnesota-Twin Cities · PhysiologyMaternal Insulin and Offspring Health Lab
Emilyn Alejandro · Minneapolis, Minnesota
Research Focus
Dr. Emilyn Alejandro's lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on understanding how maternal insulin levels during pregnancy affect the metabolic health of offspring. By studying the role of placental insulin signaling, they aim to uncover the mechanisms behind increased risks of type 2 diabetes in children born to mothers with high insulin levels. Their research emphasizes the significance of maintaining healthy insulin levels during pregnancy to promote better health outcomes for both mothers and their children.
placental insulin signalingmaternal hyperinsulinemiametabolic healthtype 2 diabetesgestational diabetesnutrient deliveryoffspring programmingmTOR signalingIGF1R
Research Aims
5AIM 01Define the long-term metabolic outcomes of offspring born to hyperinsulinemic mothers.
AIM 02Investigate how maternal insulin affects placental nutrient transport to the fetus.
AIM 03Utilize innovative genetic models to explore insulin signaling pathways in the placenta.
AIM 04Assess the roles of IR and IGF1R signaling in offspring metabolic health.
AIM 05Highlight the clinical importance of managing insulin levels during pregnancy.
Skills the Lab Values
molecular biology techniquesanimal modelscell culturegenetic modificationmetabolic assaysimmunohistochemistryPCRWestern blottingdata analysis software
Output against the department
Publications110bottom 33% of dept.192nd of 286
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations2.7kbottom 19% of dept.231st of 286
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.