Search

Eyleen O'Rourke

O'Rourke, Eyleen Jorgelina

Primary Appointment

Associate Professor of Biology, Biology

Education

  • Ph.D., Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Buenos Aires
  • Postdoc, Harvard University
  • B.S., Genetics, Universidad Nacional de Misiones
  • M.S., Genetics, Universidad Nacional de Misiones

Contact Information

Physical and Life Sciences Building. Room 412
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Telephone: (434) 260-1166
Email: ejorourke@virginia.edu

Research Disciplines

Biochemistry, Bioinformatics and Genomics, Cardiovascular Biology, Cell and Developmental Biology, Computational Biology, Development, Stem Cells & Regeneration, Genetics, Metabolism, Molecular Biology

Research Interests

Obesity and Aging

Research Description

All the way up to the 20th century, the human genome has been optimized to survive in environments characterized by fluctuations between periods of feast and famine. These survivor-genomes clash with an environment where calorie-rich foods are readily available. Based on the premise that the gene networks that allow animals to endure starvation are under strong selective pressure and consequently conserved, we use a combination of cutting-edge functional genomics, biochemical, cell biology, genetic, physiological and bioinformatics (computational biology) approaches to identify and characterize the conserved gene networks that allow the animal model Caenorhabditis elegans to adapt to changes in food availability. Ultimately, our research would contribute to better understanding how dysfunctional gene networks affect or cause obesity, diabetes, and other age-related diseases.

Selected Publications