The Mills lab explores how metabolites act as signaling molecules to regulate macrophage function during homeostasis and in chronic pathologies such as metabolic disease, chronic inflammatory disease, and cancer. We use mass spectrometry in combination with biochemical and physiological assessments to understand metabolite signaling at the cellular and whole-body level. Using models of diet-induced obesity, chronic inflammation, and cancer we explore how metabolism intersects with immune cell function to alter disease progression. Our focus on basic research is driven by a passion to further scientific enquiry in an effort to develop new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of inflammatory and metabolic diseases, and cancer. ​