Claudio J. Villanueva, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Integrative Biology and Physiology

Co-director, UCLA Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award Program

Research Areas

Gastrointestinal & Metabolic Diseases Stem Cell Biology

Claudio Villanueva, Ph.D., investigates the role adipose, or fat, tissue stem cells play in development, aging and metabolic diseases. He aims to uncover the mechanisms that regulate how these cells respond to nutrients and maintain metabolic homeostasis, which could lead to new treatments for conditions including obesity, type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease.

Adipose, or fat, tissue plays a critical role in maintaining metabolic equilibrium by efficiently storing excess energy and preventing unwanted lipid overflow into muscles and organs such as the liver, which has limited energy-storage capacity. Villanueva seeks to decipher the molecular mechanisms that govern the balance between energy storage and expenditure — a dynamic ebb and flow governed by caloric influx and dependent on tightly controlled molecular mechanisms, including ribosome biogenesis and mRNA translation.

Villanueva’s research focuses on the fundamental role of fat stem cells in energy storage and metabolic regulation. He is specifically interested in exploring the role of translation — the process by which genetic information from mRNA is used to synthesize proteins — in adipose progenitors and preadipocytes. Adipose progenitors are precursor cells within fat tissue that can proliferate and differentiate into mature fat cells, while preadipocytes represent a more committed stage in this developmental process, preparing to become fully functional adipocytes. Villanueva seeks to understand how stem cells in the adipose tissue seamlessly weave together nutrient and hormonal signals to transition and differentiate.

By dissecting the transcriptional pathways that govern adipocyte differentiation, Villanueva discovered a novel transcriptional co-regulator, transducin-like enhancer of split 3, or TLE3. His recent work has highlighted the role of TLE-family transcriptional co-regulators in modulating mitochondrial gene expression and the development of adipose tissue, contributing to a deeper understanding of adipose plasticity and its impact on metabolic disorders.

Beyond his contributions to metabolic research, Villanueva is dedicated to mentoring and training the next generation of scientists through his role in the UCLA Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award Program, which supports postdoctoral scholars in the biological sciences interested in teaching, mentoring and expanding the STEM workforce.

“I’m originally from Nicaragua. Latinos have a higher risk for developing obesity and Type 2 diabetes, so I’m hopeful [my] work will have a positive impact on my community.”

Claudio J. Villanueva, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Integrative Biology and Physiology

Developing adipose (fat) stem cell-based approaches for reconstructive surgery and cosmetic applications
Pinpointing regulators of mRNA Short for messenger ribonucleic acid, this single-stranded molecular plays a crucial role in protein synthesis within cells. Specifically, it is carries the genetic information encoded in DNA to the ribosomes, where it is "read" to assemble proteins based on the code. mRNA Short for messenger ribonucleic acid, this single-stranded molecular plays a crucial role in protein synthesis within cells. Specifically, it is carries the genetic information encoded in DNA to the ribosomes, where it is "read" to assemble proteins based on the code. translation that promote adipocyte progenitor differentiation The process by which stem cells transform into specific, specialized cell types with distinct functions and features. differentiation The process by which stem cells transform into specific, specialized cell types with distinct functions and features.
Identifying therapeutic targets to improve metabolic health and combat type 2 diabetes
Investigating the molecular mechanisms that regulate adipose stem cell differentiation in response to nutrient and hormonal cues