Taiyi Diana Kuo

Research Interests

The Kuo lab studies the etiology of metabolic disorder and diabetes, and aims to elucidate the molecular mechanism(s) underlying pancreatic beta cell failure and insulin resistance. Our interdisciplinary approaches span physiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, and functional genomics. We utilize integrative functional genomics with next generation sequencing (ChIP-seq, RNA-seq, HiC) to obtain multi-layered, genome-wide datasets to compare and contrast human and mouse epigenetics in the context of beta cell function. One of the current projects focuses on a resulting human diabetes susceptibility gene- C2CD4A. We have generated several animal models, cell lines, and necessary reagents to investigate a link between pancreatic beta-cell, exercise-induced hypoglycemia, and type 2 diabetes therapy. These studies will advance our understanding of C2CD4A, and provide a blueprint to leverage human genetics data into biological insight that will eventually benefit patients. We are hiring at all levels. Individuals with a deep interest in science, programming skills, and an ambition to excel in diabetes research are highly sought.

Graduate Program Affiliations

• Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Graduate Group
• Integrative Genetics and Genomics Graduate Group
• Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology Graduate Group