Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz

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Abstract: Despite the general opinion, that obesity and other lipid-associated disorders are to a large extent the result of misbehaviour, it is evident that overeating in humans is mostly "hard-wired" and that adipose tissue mass is genetically determined. Numerous twin/adoption and family studies confirm a major contribution of genes to the development of obesity. This fact, combined with the "Obesogenic environment" that we face in developed countries, with adopting a sedentary life style and an abundance of high-fat, high-calorie food at low cost, results in the tremendous rate at which obesity and related disorders increase in today's world.

This project will identify subsets of genes that are involved in the development of adipocytes, the regulation of lipid deposition and lipid mobilization, and the maintenance of cellular cholesterol homeostasis.
We expect to discover important components of the eukaryotic proteo-lipidome. Our results will significantly advance the understanding of lipid and energy metabolism and may provide novel durg targets for the treatment of metabolic diseases.

Beteiligte MUG-Organisationseinheiten: Diagnostik und Forschungsinstitut für Gerichtliche Medizin; Lehrstuhl für Molekularbiologie und Biochemie

Gefördert durch: GEN-AU - Genomforschung in Österreich, Rosengasse 2-6, 1014 Wien, Österreich