Conjoint Associate Professor
Associate Professor Carsten Schmitz-Peiffer
BA (Natural Sciences) Cambridge, UK
PhD (Biochemistry) Bristol, UK
Medicine & Health
School of Clinical Medicine
Research Interests:
The development of insulin resistance in skeletal muscle and liver is a key feature in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance is strongly associated with increased lipid availability, although the precise mechanisms involved remain to be elucidated. The Insulin Signalling Group at the Garvan Institute employs animal and cell culture models to study lipid metabolism and the inhibitory signalling pathways initiated by lipids which interfere with normal insulin action, with an interest in crosstalk between different tissues such as adipose tissue, the brain and liver. We are also developing small molecules inhibitors against a target we have identified in the development of glucose intolerance.
Broad Research Areas:
Diabetes, Obesity, Biochemistry, Metabolism, Proteomics
Qualifications:
BA (Natural Sciences) Cambridge, UK; PhD (Biochemistry) Bristol, UK
Specific Research Keywords:
Type 2 diabetes, Signalling and Transcription, Endocrinology, Molecular Mechanisms, Cell Metabolism
Phone
02 9295 8212
Location
Diabetes and Metabolism Division
Level 6, Garvan Institute
384 Victoria Street
DARLINGHURST NSW 2010
- Publications
- Grants
- Awards
Carsten Schmitz-Peiffer has obtained over $3 million in peer-reviewed grant funding as CIA. He has been awarded 6 NHMRC project grants as CIA since 2003, and an NHMRC Development Grant as CIB (2007). He has also received funding from Diabetes Australia Research Trust (9 grants since 2002), Eli Lilly Endocrinology Research Grants (2 grants) and a recent Perpetual Impact Grant (2019-2020) as CIA.
NHMRC
2015-2019 NHMRC Project Grant $872,512
Action of PKC epsilon in Adipose Tissue Regulates Hepatic Glucose Production
CIA: C. Schmitz-Peiffer, CIB: T.J. Biden
2011-2013 NHMRC Project Grant $583,390
Targeting ceramide metabolism to improve insulin resistance
CIA: C. Schmitz-Peiffer, CIB: T. Mitchell
2009-2011 Project Grant $622,500
The regulation of insulin action in liver and skeletal muscle by Protein kinase C epsilon
CIA: C. Schmitz-Peiffer, CIB: T.J. Biden
2008-2010 Project Grant $483,750
Dilinoleoyl phosphatidic acid as a novel mediator of insulin resistance in muscle.
CIA: C. Schmitz-Peiffer, CIB: T. Mitchell
2006-2008 Project Grant $614,625
Investigation of the roles of Protein Kinase Cε in insulin secretion and insulin clearance.
CIA: C. Schmitz-Peiffer, CIB: T.J. Biden
2007 Development Grant $154,500
Therapeutic Strategies and Screening Methods for PKC epsilon antagonists in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes
CIA: T.J. Biden, CIB: C. Schmitz-Peiffer
2003-2005 New Investigator Grant $450,000
The Role of Protein Kinase Cε in the Generation of Lipid-Induced Insulin Resistance in Skeletal Muscle
CIA: C. Schmitz-Peiffer
Other Grants
2019-2020 Perpetual Impact Grant $65,000
Identifying new dual action therapies for the treatment of type 2 diabetes
Chief Investigator: C. Schmitz-Peiffer
2019 Diabetes Australia Research Trust $60,000
Using Biosensors To Determine the Role of PKCε in Adipose Tissue
Chief Investigator: C. Schmitz-Peiffer
2018 Diabetes Australia Research Trust $60,000
Dual Deletion of PKCepsilon and CerS6 in Adipose Tissue to Protect Insulin Sensitivity
Chief Investigator: C. Schmitz-Peiffer
2016 Diabetes Australia Research Trust $60,000
Inhibitors of Protein Kinase C Epsilon (PKCe) for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes
Chief Investigators: R. Norton, C. Schmitz-Peiffer
2015 Diabetes Australia Research Trust $60,000
The role of protein kinase C in the regulation of lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis
Chief Investigator: C. Schmitz-Peiffer
2012 Diabetes Australia Research Trust $39,000
The role of branched chain amino acid degradation in the improvement of glucose homeostasis caused by protein kinase C epsilon deletion
Chief Investigator: C. Schmitz-Peiffer
2011 Diabetes Australia Research Trust $60,000
Regulation of Insulin Receptor Function by PKC epsilon
Chief Investigator: C. Schmitz-Peiffe
2008 Eli Lilly Endocrinology Research Grant, $40,000
Project: Inhibition of lysophosphatidic acid acyl transferase (LPAAT) as a treatment for insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes
Chief Investigator: C. Schmitz-Peiffer
2007 Rebecca L. Cooper Medical Research Foundation
Equipment Grant: $20,000
Chief Investigator: C. Schmitz-Peiffer
2006 Diabetes Australia Research Trust, $30,000
Project: Investigation of the role of Protein Kinase Cε in insulin clearance.
Chief Investigator: C. Schmitz-Peiffer
2005 Eli Lilly Endocrinology Research Grant, $30,000
Project: The Role Of The Protein Kinase mTOR In Lipid-Induced Insulin Resistance In Skeletal Muscle Cells
Chief Investigator: C. Schmitz-Peiffer
2004 Diabetes Australia Research Trust, $40,000
Project: Inhibitory Regulation of Glycogen Synthase by Unsaturated Fatty Acid
Chief Investigator: C. Schmitz-Peiffer
2002 Diabetes Australia Research Trust, $40,000
Project: Unsaturated Fatty Acid, PKC And n-3 Fatty Acid Effects On Insulin Signalling.
Chief Investigator: C. Schmitz-Peiffer
Support for Translational Projects
2015 European Lead Factory Public Target Programme ELFSC13_04
Inhibitors Of the interaction of PKCe and RACK2 As Agents For The Treatment Of T2D
ELF to perform HTS AlphaScreen for inhibitors of PKCε-RACK2 interaction, confirm hits, deselect non-specific hits, dose response curve, selectivity profile, orthogonal assays.
Chief Investigators: Dr Graeme Wilkinson (The Research Network, UK); C. Schmitz-Peiffer
2014 AstraZeneca / Academic Drug Discovery Consortium
Free access to ready-to-screen 250,000 compound library worth $130,000
Inhibitors of protein kinase C epsilon as agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes
Chief Investigators: C. Schmitz-Peiffer, J. Baell, K. Laclovic, T.J. Biden
2012 Regeneus Pty Ltd, $30,000
Mesenchymal stem cells as a therapy for Type 2 diabetes
Chief Investigator: C. Schmitz-Peiffer
2010 Garvan Institute Business Development funding $97,000
Use of peptide inhibitors of PKCε to treat glucose intolerance
Chief Investigators: T.J. Biden, C. Schmitz-Peiffer
2006 Devgen NV, $20,000
Treatment of pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance by inhibition of PKCε
Chief Investigators: C. Schmitz-Peiffer, T.J. Biden
Garvan Institute High Impact Publication Prize 2019
Garvan Institute High Impact Publication Prize 2007