Team
Audet-Walsh, Étienne PhD - Regular researcher
Associate Professor - Université Laval
(1) Endocrinology and Nephrology Axis, Québec University Hospital Center - Université Laval
(2) Department of Molecular Medicine - Faculty of Medicine
Research interest
Dr. Audet-Walsh specializes in studying metabolic reprogramming driven by sex hormone receptors in hormone-sensitive organs. Through their actions, these receptors act as master regulators of cellular bioenergetic pathways, which are essential for both ATP synthesis and the biosynthesis of macromolecules necessary for cell proliferation. Using functional genomics and metabolomics analyses, his research seeks to understand how these receptors contribute to the transcriptional regulation of various cellular metabolic pathways in both physiology and disease.
One of his primary areas of research focuses on understanding the prostate, an organ of the male reproductive system. This gland exhibits a unique mitochondrial metabolism to support male fertility. However, during carcinogenesis, the metabolic profile is altered, making it an attractive therapeutic target. To better understand this metabolic reprogramming, Dr. Audet-Walsh’s group employs various translational research models, including in vitro (cell culture), ex vivo (patient-derived organoids), and in vivo (rodent models, human samples). Understanding the metabolic reprogramming associated with pathological conditions, as well as the factors controlling this reprogramming, will facilitate the identification of new therapeutic targets for hormone-sensitive disorders.