Daniel Berry

Assistant Professor, Nutritional Sciences

portrait of a man in glasses in front of windows

About

Daniel Berry, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University. He graduated from State University of New York at Cortland with a BS degree in Biology with a concentration in Environmental Science. He received a PhD degree in Molecular Nutrition from Case Western Reserve University and performed his postdoctoral studies in the Department of Developmental Biology and the Division of Endocrinology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

The Berry research group is interested in studying adipose tissue biology and systemic metabolism and do so by examining adipose stem cells. Our group is especially interested in understanding how adipose stem cells communicate with their niche/microenvironment to generate adipocytes under specific nutrient stress and environmental conditions.

Education

2011, PhD, Molecular Nutrition, Case Western Reserve University

2005, BS, Biology Concentration in Environmental Science, State University of New York at Cortland

Recent Research

Our laboratory focuses on understanding adipose tissue biology and systemic metabolism by studying adipose stem cells (ASC). We specifically examine ASC dynamics, the ASC niche, and the role of ASCs in white adipose tissue development, homeostasis, obesogenic expansion and thermogenesis. Using unique in vivo genetic tools, we can mark, track and manipulate these cells to gain insight into the cellular and molecular biology with the goal to elucidate possible therapies. Further, we focus on identifying factors and nutrients that regulate and mediate ASC-niche communication, and ASC dynamics with the intent to disrupt adipocyte formation but preserve or enhance metabolic health.

Courses Taught

NS 7030: Seminar in Nutritional Sciences

NS 3150: Obesity and the Regulation of Body Weight

Contact Information

307 Biotech
Ithaca, NY 14853

(607) 254-8857

dcb37 [at] cornell.edu

Selected Publications

Jiang, Y.,* Berry, D.C.,*† Tang, W., Arpke, R.W., Kyba, M., and Graff, J.M. A PPARγ transcriptional cascade directs adipose progenitor-niche interaction and niche expansion. Nature Commun. 2017 Jun 26;8:15926. doi: 10.1038/ncomms15926. *Contributed equally. †Co-corresponding author.
Berry, D.C.,† Jiang, Y., Arpke, R.W., Close, E.L., Uchida, A., Reading, D., Berglund, ED., Kyba, M., and Graff, J.M. Cellular aging contributes to failure of cold-induced beige adipocyte formation in old mice and humans. Cell Metab. 2017 Jan 10;25(1):166-181. †Co-corresponding author.
Berry, D.C., Jiang, Y and Graff, J.M. “Emerging roles of adipose progenitor cells in tissue development, homeostasis, expansion and thermogenesis.” Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2016, Aug; 27(8): 574–585.
Berry, D.C., Jiang, Y., and Graff, J.M. Mouse strains to study cold-inducible beige progenitors and beige adipocyte formation and function. Nat Commun. 2016 Jan 5; 7:10184. doi: 10.1038/ncomms10184.
Jiang, Y.,* Berry, D.C.,* Tang, W., and Graff, J.M. Independent stem cell lineages regulate adipose organogenesis and adipose homeostasis. Cell Rep. 2014 Nov 6; 9(3):1007-22. *Contributed equally.
Berry, D.C., Stenesen, D., Zeve, D., Graff, J.M. “The developmental origins of adipose tissue” Development. 2013 Oct; 140(19):3939-49
Berry, D.C., Levi, L., and Noy, N. “Holo-retinol-binding protein and its receptor STRA6 drive oncogenic transformation”. Cancer Res 2014 Nov 1; 74(21):6341-51.
Berry, D. C., Desantis, D., Soltanian, H., Croniger, C.M., and Noy, N. “Retinoic acid upregulates pre-adipocyte genes to block adipogenesis and suppress diet-induced obesity”. Diabetes. 2012 May; 61(5): 1112-21.
Berry, D. C., Jin, H., Majumdar, A., and Noy, N. "Signaling by vitamin A and retinol-binding protein regulates gene expression to inhibit insulin responses." Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2011 Mar 15; 108(11): 4340-4345.
Berry, D. C., and Noy, N. "All-trans-retinoic acid represses obesity and insulin resistance by activating both peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor beta/delta and retinoic acid receptor." Mol Cell Biol. 2009 Jun; 29(12): 3286-3296.

Administrative Positions

Search committee , DNS seminar

Nominations committee , Graduate Field of Nutrition

The Grievance Committee , CHE