About
Titles
Research Scientist
Biography
Julie R. Hens, Ph.D., is presently a research scientist at Yale University and is an internationally recognized developmental biologist and cancer researcher. Previously, she was a Senior Scientist at the Orentreich Foundation for the Advancement of Science (OFAS) where she specialized in studying methionine restriction and cancer. She was an Assistant Professor of Biology at St. Bonaventure University where she developed courses in Genetics, Developmental biology, Cell and Molecular Biology, and Aging. She established laboratories, and organized students to present their independent research at a University-wide Symposium. She has over 15 years of experience in the field of mammary gland physiology and development, and cancer biology Dr. Hens has contributed to the understanding of molecular mechanisms involved in embryonic mammary gland and bone development. More recently, she has expanded our understanding of how dietary methionine restriction can affect epigenetic mechanisms involved in cancer progression, bone development, and fatty liver disease. At Yale, she is examining the role of PTHrP, CASR, GABBR1, and GABBR2 in mammary gland function and during cancer.
Appointments
Endocrinology
Research ScientistPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
Education & Training
- Research Associate Scientist
- Yale University (2007)
- Postdoctoral associate
- Yale University (2005)
- PhD
- University of Maryland @ College Park, Animal Science/Cell Biology (2001)
- MS
- Pennsylvania State University, Genetics intercollegiate program (1994)
- BA
- Canisius College, Biology (1991)
Research
Overview
Medical Research Interests
ORCID
0000-0003-1113-0620
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Publications Timeline
Research Interests
John Wysolmerski, MD
Carolyn M. Macica
Clare Flannery, MD
Methionine
Breast Neoplasms
Publications
2023
THU313 Lactation As A Possible Protective Factor For Postpartum Diabetes In Women With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Retrospective Analysis
Dávila-Parrilla V, Stanton C, Hackerson C, Song H, Hens J, Wysolmerski J, Merriam A, De Aguiar R. THU313 Lactation As A Possible Protective Factor For Postpartum Diabetes In Women With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Retrospective Analysis. Journal Of The Endocrine Society 2023, 7: bvad114.747. PMCID: PMC10553496, DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvad114.747.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGestational diabetes mellitusYale-New Haven HospitalInfant feeding practicesExclusive lactationFeeding practicesDiabetes mellitusRetrospective analysisOral glucose tolerance test resultsGlucose tolerance test resultsSignificant differencesExclusive formula feedingWeek postpartum visitPre-pregnancy BMITolerance test resultsDevelopment of T2DMPre-diabetic statusPopulation of womenNew Haven HospitalAfrican AmericansPossible protective factorDM statusPostpartum visitChart reviewFormula feedingDietary modificationTHU302 Protective Effects Of Lactation On Maternal Metabolism
Hens J, Ding Y, Brown S, Song H, Wysolmerski J, De Aguiar R. THU302 Protective Effects Of Lactation On Maternal Metabolism. Journal Of The Endocrine Society 2023, 7: bvad114.737. PMCID: PMC10554876, DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvad114.737.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNL miceGlucose metabolismL miceBody compositionEuglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp techniquePlasma free fatty acidsHistory of lactationMaternal glucose metabolismTissue triglyceride levelsGlucose tolerance testType 2 diabetesEuglycemic hyperinsulinemic clampGlucose infusion rateAge-matched cohortNumber of isletsAge-matched virginsLiver triglyceridesInsulin levelsTriglyceride levelsLiver weightTolerance testInsulin secretionMaternal metabolismFree fatty acidsInfusion rate
2022
Hyperinsulinemia induces early and dyssynchronous puberty in lean female mice.
Saleh FL, Joshi AA, Tal A, Xu P, Hens J, Wong SL, Flannery C. Hyperinsulinemia induces early and dyssynchronous puberty in lean female mice. Journal Of Endocrinology 2022, 254: 121-135. PMID: 35904489, PMCID: PMC9837806, DOI: 10.1530/joe-21-0447.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsVaginal openingInsulin resistanceDay of VOIGF-1 levelsInsulin-like growth factor 1 receptorGreater insulin resistanceHigher insulin levelsEffect of hyperinsulinemiaGrowth factor 1 receptorGonadotropin-releasing hormoneLower body weightFactor 1 receptorReceptor isoform expressionMammary gland developmentLH levelsInsulin levelsInsulin receptor isoform expressionKisspeptin expressionChildhood obesityFemale miceHormone levelsEarly initiationHyperinsulinemiaBody weightOvarian folliclesPTHrP induces STAT5 activation, secretory differentiation and accelerates mammary tumor development
Grinman DY, Boras-Granic K, Takyar FM, Dann P, Hens JR, Marmol C, Lee J, Choi J, Chodosh LA, Sola MEG, Wysolmerski JJ. PTHrP induces STAT5 activation, secretory differentiation and accelerates mammary tumor development. Breast Cancer Research 2022, 24: 30. PMID: 35440032, PMCID: PMC9020078, DOI: 10.1186/s13058-022-01523-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsOverexpression of PTHrPSecretory differentiationEpithelial cellsPTHrP overexpressionTumor latencyBreast cancerMammary epithelial cellsType 1 PTH/PTHrP receptorMMTV-PyMT breast cancer modelPTH/PTHrP receptorMMTV-PyMT miceMammary tumor developmentBreast cancer riskBreast cancer biologyExpression of PTHrPHormone-related proteinHuman breast cancerBreast cancer modelE74-like factor 5Normal mammary epithelial cellsBreast cancer progressionMouse mammary tumorsExpression of markersAlveolar epithelial cellsLuminal epithelial cells
2019
NHERF1 Is Required for Localization of PMCA2 and Suppression of Early Involution in the Female Lactating Mammary Gland
Jeong J, Kim W, Hens J, Dann P, Schedin P, Friedman PA, Wysolmerski JJ. NHERF1 Is Required for Localization of PMCA2 and Suppression of Early Involution in the Female Lactating Mammary Gland. Endocrinology 2019, 160: 1797-1810. PMID: 31087002, PMCID: PMC6619491, DOI: 10.1210/en.2019-00230.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsPlasma membrane calcium ATPase 2Mammary epithelial cellsSpecialized plasma membrane domainsMammary epithelial cell deathLuminal epithelial cellsCell deathPremature mammary gland involutionBreast cancer cellsApical-basal polarityEpithelial cellsPlasma membrane domainsApical membraneSecretory luminal epithelial cellsExchanger regulatory factor 1Cell death pathwaysNHERF1 expressionMammary gland involutionCancer cellsRegulatory factor 1Sodium-hydrogen exchanger regulatory factor-1Lactating Mammary GlandNormal mammary epithelial cellsMembrane localizationEpithelial cell deathMembrane domains
2017
METHIONINE RESTRICTION ALTERS HEPATIC MIRNAS INVOLVED IN METABOLISM IN YOUNG, OBESE, AND AGED MICE
Park M, Cooke D, Plummer J, Ables G, Hens J. METHIONINE RESTRICTION ALTERS HEPATIC MIRNAS INVOLVED IN METABOLISM IN YOUNG, OBESE, AND AGED MICE. Innovation In Aging 2017, 1: 857-857. PMCID: PMC6184731, DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igx004.3084.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDIO miceAged miceMethionine restrictionYoung miceNonalcoholic fatty liver diseaseDiet-induced obese miceMiR-33-5pFatty liver conditionFatty liver diseaseDietary methionine restrictionType II diabetesExpression of mRNAAge-associated disordersBile acid transportLiver diseaseLiver functionObese miceLet-7gLiver conditionsMR dietOld miceHepatic expressionTransport of cholesterolBile acidsII diabetes
2016
Erratum to: Methionine-restricted diet inhibits growth of MCF10AT1-derived mammary tumors by increasing cell cycle inhibitors in athymic nude mice
Hens J, Sinha I, Perodin F, Cooper T, Sinha R, Plummer J, Perrone C, Orentreich D. Erratum to: Methionine-restricted diet inhibits growth of MCF10AT1-derived mammary tumors by increasing cell cycle inhibitors in athymic nude mice. BMC Cancer 2016, 16: 474. PMID: 27417544, PMCID: PMC4944442, DOI: 10.1186/s12885-016-2404-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMethionine‐Restricted Diet Increases miRNAs That Can Target RUNX2 Expression and Alters Bone Structure in Young Mice
Plummer J, Park M, Perodin F, Horowitz MC, Hens JR. Methionine‐Restricted Diet Increases miRNAs That Can Target RUNX2 Expression and Alters Bone Structure in Young Mice. Journal Of Cellular Biochemistry 2016, 118: 31-42. PMID: 27191548, PMCID: PMC5426510, DOI: 10.1002/jcb.25604.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsDietary methionine restrictionBone tissue densityMR miceMethionine restrictionBone marrowMale C57BL/6J miceBone-related biomarkersYoung male C57BL/6J miceBone structureMiR-335-5pPlasma levelsC57BL/6J micePlasma glucoseRodent modelsBone volumeFat depotsTrabecular thicknessFat accretionBone remodelingMiceBiomechanical testingMiR-204Reduced expressionMiR-31Significant decreaseMethionine-restricted diet inhibits growth of MCF10AT1-derived mammary tumors by increasing cell cycle inhibitors in athymic nude mice
Hens JR, Sinha I, Perodin F, Cooper T, Sinha R, Plummer J, Perrone CE, Orentreich D. Methionine-restricted diet inhibits growth of MCF10AT1-derived mammary tumors by increasing cell cycle inhibitors in athymic nude mice. BMC Cancer 2016, 16: 349. PMID: 27255182, PMCID: PMC4891836, DOI: 10.1186/s12885-016-2367-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsMethionine restrictionMR miceMR dietCell cycle inhibitorsNude micePlasma amino acid concentrationsBreast cancer xenograft modelCancer xenograft modelAthymic nude miceBreast cancer cell linesTumors of miceCycle inhibitorsMDA-MB-231 cellsConventional cancer therapiesAqueous One Solution Cell ProliferationCell Titer 96MDA-MB-231Cancer cell linesProgression of cancerInsulin sensitivityMammary gland tissuePlasma concentrationsMammary tumorsSmall tumorsAmino acid concentrationsMethionine restriction beyond life‐span extension
Ables GP, Hens JR, Nichenametla SN. Methionine restriction beyond life‐span extension. Annals Of The New York Academy Of Sciences 2016, 1363: 68-79. PMID: 26916321, DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13014.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsMethionine restrictionLife span extensionPossible downstream effectorsMitochondrial oxidative stressAge-related diseasesCystathionine β-synthaseIntracellular regulatory mechanismsEpigenetic mechanismsNoncoding RNAsDownstream effectorsSpecific genesReactive oxygen speciesRegulatory mechanismsCell cycleBody sizeMethionine cycleEpigeneticsCancer progressionΒ-synthaseDietary methionine restrictionCell apoptosisFactor 1Fibroblast growth factor 21Hepatic glucose metabolismInsulin-like growth factor-1
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
activity Journal of Histochemistry & Cytochemistry
Journal ServiceReviewerDetailsReviewer of Journal Articles2010 - 2022activity Developmental Biology
Journal ServiceReviewerDetailsReviewed Manuscripts2010 - 2022activity Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
Journal ServiceReviewerDetailsReviewed mansucripts2017 - 2022activity Protein & Peptide Letters Journal
Journal ServiceReviewerDetails2020 - 2020activity American Society of Bone and Mineral Research
Professional OrganizationsMemberDetails2004 - 2020