Transcriptome Landscape Of Brown/beige Adipogenesis In Humans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$393,369.00
Summary
There are three kinds of fat in the body: white, brown and beige. While excess white fat results in obesity, brown fat is associated with leanness and lowers blood glucose levels. Recent animal experiments show that under certain conditions, white fat can be transformed into beige fat, leading to benefits such as weight loss. The current project grant involves examination of human fat cells grown in the laboratory and investigation on the genetics of brown and beige fat.
Obesity ensues when calorie intake exceeds energy expended. Hitherto, up-regulating energy expenditure is a relatively unexplored avenue. This project will address 3 facets of energy expenditure (fat, muscle and neural control). Understanding how sex and steroids act in concert to regulate energy expenditure will pave the way towards developing novel anti-obesity agents. This work will delineate mechanisms that underpin gender differences in the regulation of body weight.
Mechanisms Underlying The Efficacy Of Bariatric Surgery – Insights From Rat Models Of Sleeve Gastrectomy And The Adjustable Gastric Band
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$868,472.00
Summary
Bariatric surgery is the only effective treatment for morbid obesity. In order to better understand the mechanistic bases of two such procedures, the adjustable gastric band and sleeve gastrectomy, we have developed rodent models. Here we use these models to better understand the physiology and pathophysiology of these surgeries and extend these findings to inform part of a RCT aimed at identifying the basis for effective joint surgical and medicinal treatments of obesity.
Central Neural Circuits Subserving Nutrient–activated Thermogenesis - The Basis Of Post Prandial Energy Expenditure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$766,207.00
Summary
Studies of “energy burning” brown fat, including its importance in the determination of obesity in humans and the potential to increase its capacity by turning white fat into brown-like fat are currently foremost in obesity research. Here we study the detail of brain pathways that dictate brown fat activity after a meal resulting in the burning of ingested calories and reduction of body weight. The results will give us a better idea of how we can harness brown fat to combat obesity.
Determinants Of Brown Adipose Tissue Activation - Implication For The Regulation Of Energy Balance And Obesity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$617,192.00
Summary
One of the most important recent findings in the biology of obesity has been the revelation that brown adipose tissue (BAT) is present and functional in adult humans. Even more important, the amount of BAT seems to be related to the extent of obesity. The challenge now is to harness the means by which BAT is activated. Understanding the central neural control pathways and the rate limiting steps in the BAT itself will pave the way for new anti-obesity strategies.
RANKL, A Critical New Player In The Coordination Of Whole Body Energy Homeostasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$842,946.00
Summary
Imbalances in food intake and energy expenditure can lead to the development of obesity or anorexia. Conserved mechanisms are in place to coordinate the energy requirements of organs and tissues. The main centre is the brain which receives, processes and sends out information to accommodate the needs of the different tissues. Bone tissue in particular is in need of a lot of energy. Factors produced by bone are therefore critical in the coordination of whole body energy homeostasis.
Central Neural Regulation Of Brown Fat Function – Glucose Sensing And CNS Pathways
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$761,942.00
Summary
Our research aims to identify how specific brain cells detect changes in glucose levels and how ageing and diet affect their function. We identified a subset of nerve cells that detect changes in glucose and the “hunger” hormone ghrelin, their ability to do so adapting with age and nutritional status. This project will investigate the potential of these nerve cells as targets for therapeutic and diet- intervention strategies to target obesity, diabetes and promote healthy ageing.