Dissecting Tissue-Specific Androgen Receptor Function at Single-Nucleus Resolution On Systemic Metabolism

How the androgen receptor shapes our metabolism: insights at single-nucleus resolution

The androgen receptor (AR) plays a well-established role in sex development and in the regulation of metabolism, including glucose balance and cardiometabolic health. However, the organ-specific functions of AR signaling are still not well understood, leaving possible metabolic consequences in individuals with androgen insensitivity syndrome largely unexplored.

In this project, we want to uncover mechanisms that lead to impaired glucose homeostasis when AR-signaling does not function properly in the fat tissue surrounding the gonads. We will perform single-nucleus RNA sequencing of this fat tissue to identify the molecular changes that cause the observed physiological effect. 

This research will advance our understanding of how dysfunctional AR signaling shapes fat tissue function and and impacts whole-body metabolism. In the long term, these insights may help refine risk assessment for metabolic disorders in individuals with androgen insensitivity syndrome.