Steroid hormones have potent effects on fuel metabolism, body fat distribution and behaviour.  My research focusses on the ways in which these actions are “fine-tuned” by pre-receptor metabolism within target tissues, and how this can alter susceptibility to the development of obesity and diabetes.  Through these studies we have also identified a steroid hormone metabolite that has potential for development as a selective glucocorticoid receptor modulator for use in the treatment of inflammation. 

http://www.ed.ac.uk/integrative-physiology/staff-profiles/research-groups/dawn-livingstone