Dr. Miles conducts in vivo research in human lipid fuel metabolism, including free fatty acids and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. He has developed several novel tracer techniques that involve the intravenous infusion of radiolabeled substrates. The primary objective of his research is to characterize the systemic and regional partitioning of free fatty acids and triglycerides between storage and oxidation pathways. He is currently applying these techniques to the study of the deranged metabolism of the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Studies of regional metabolism in the forearm, in adipose tissue and in the splanchnic bed are underway. A preliminary study of myocardial triglyceride and free fatty acid metbaolism, utilizing coronary sinus blood sampling, has also been started.