His expertise lies in Nutrition, Metabolism and Endocrinology, with special attention to the interface between metabolic (dys)regulation and the neuroendocrine control of the growth hormone (GH)-IGFI axis under normal and altered conditions (i.e. obesity and cancer). In particular, his group studies the cellular and molecular events underlying the proper functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary unit and its interrelationship with the nutrition status, metabolism and whole body homeostasis. In this context, they have characterized classical and novel metabolic signals involved in the integrated control of different endocrine tissues/organs (i.e. pituitary, hypothalamus, liver, etc.), and their mechanisms of action. Through their research, Dr. Luque’s group has significantly contributed to shed light on the complex interrelationship between metabolism and pituitary function, elucidating the presence and functional role of key neuropeptides, their receptors and splicing variants in human endocrine cells, both under normal metabolic conditions and in altered metabolic situations, like obesity and diabetes, and also, recently in tumoral pathologies, especially in pituitary and neuroendocrine tumors, and in prostate and breast cancer.