University of Kentucky · PharmacologyLiver Metabolism and Disease Unit
Robert Nathaniel Helsley · Lexington, Kentucky
Research Focus
Dr. Robert Helsley's lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on understanding how problems with fat digestion in the liver can lead to serious health issues like metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Their research aims to explore the role of a specific enzyme involved in fat oxidation, which could help identify new ways to treat liver diseases. The lab uses advanced techniques in mouse models, cell cultures, and state-of-the-art genetic analysis to uncover the mechanisms behind liver fat accumulation and its effects on health.
liver diseasefat metabolismmicrovesicular steatosismetabolic dysfunctionpolyunsaturated fatty acids
Research Aims
4AIM 01Investigate how long chain fatty acid oxidation affects liver fat accumulation.
AIM 02Identify gender differences in liver fat storage and inflammation due to fat oxidation impairments.
AIM 03Examine the effects of Cpt1a gene modifications on liver health in mice.
AIM 04Analyze immune cell profiles in the liver in relation to fat metabolism.
Skills the Lab Values
mouse modelscell cultureflow cytometrylipidomicsgene expression analysisspatial transcriptomicsin vitro assayswestern blottingbioinformatics
Output against the department
Publications94bottom 23% of dept.356th of 462
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations2.0kbottom 13% of dept.400th of 462
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.