Dr Brian Lam

Research focus

Genomics of energy homeostasis and the cause of obesity

Background and experience

I have double majors in Biochemistry and Computer Science. I studied the transcriptional control of gene expression in neurons for my PhD in the Pharmacology Department at the University of Cambridge. I joined the IMS initially as a core bioinformatician, and I moved to the COY team to work on the neuronal control of food intake.

My have a long-term interest in genomics and genetic regulatory networks that underpin neuronal and neuroendocrine activities. I am also a genehunter who actively looks for new genes/biology that are involved in the control of energy homeostasis.

Working at the IMS-MRL

I work closely with Prof Giles Yeo and Dr John Tadross in mapping the appetitive centres of the brain in both mice and humans using modern single-cell sequencing and spatial transcriptomics. We recently published the hypothalamic single-cell atlas of the mouse (HypoMAP) and we are currently building the human equivalent.

I have also been working with Prof. Sir Steve O’Rahilly on large-scale genetic screens in study cohorts such as Fenland and ALSPAC, and more recently the UK Biobank with Prof. John Perry, to look for rare, protein-altering variants in metabolic genes. We perform biochemical characterisation in experimental models and statistical genetic tests to study their effects on metabolic health in humans.

Awards

Co-recipient of the IMS Director’s Collaborative Award 2022 –with Drs Ionel Sandovici and Ben Jenkins

Society for Endocrinology Early Career Grant 2017

Co-workers and collaborators

Prof Ken Ong

Publications

Key publications:

Asami, M., Lam, B.Y.H.,  et al. A program of successive gene expression in mouse one-cell embryos, Cell Reports, 42, 112023 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112023 *co-first author

Steuernagel, L., Lam, B.Y.H., Klemm, P. et al. HypoMap—a unified single-cell gene expression atlas of the murine hypothalamus. Nat Metab 4, 1402–1419 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-022-00657-y *co-first author

Asami, M., Lam, B.Y.H., et al. Human embryonic genome activation initiates at the one-cell stage, Cell Stem Cell, 29, 209-216.e4 (2022) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2021.11.012. *co-first author

Lam, B.Y.H., Williamson, A., Finer, S. et al. MC3R links nutritional state to childhood growth and the timing of puberty. Nature 599, 436–441 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-04088-9

Wade, K.H., Lam, B.Y.H., Melvin, A. et al. Loss-of-function mutations in the melanocortin 4 receptor in a UK birth cohort. Nat Med 27, 1088–1096 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-021-01349-y *co-first author

Research focus

Background and experience

Working at the IMS-MRL

Awards

Co-workers and collaborators

Publications

Contact Details

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Study at Cambridge

About the University

Research at Cambridge