Dr. Iqbal’s research lab focuses on investigating the alterations in lipid metabolism that promote the development of metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. He has previously shown that defects in microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) in abetalipoproteinemia patients and ATP cassette-binding family A protein 1 (ABCA1) in Tangier’s patients result in lower plasma sphingolipid levels. This work has been published in two peer-reviewed journals, the Journal of Biological Chemistry and the Journal of Lipid Research. He and his team are currently studying the role of sphingolipid transporters in the development of metabolic diseases using a spectrum of technologies from molecular biology, cell biology, and animal physiology. He has recently identified a sphingolipid transporter that influences obesity and diabetes. A better understanding of how this transporter affects sphingolipid metabolism and, hence, obesity and diabetes could lead to slowing or halting these diseases using novel therapeutic approaches.