Cluster of webinars on adipocytes and obesity

1. Organisers
2. Topics
3. Content
4. Who can participate
5. Registration
6. Further information

ORGANISERS

This series of webinars are organised by the Danish Diabetes Academy in collaboration with our Visiting Professors Ruth Loos and James Granneman.

TOPICS

The following topics will be covered during a series of four 40 minute sessions, of which 30 minutes are dedicated to the lecture and 10 minutes for answering questions.

CONTENT 

Below you can see short descriptions of each webinar.

THE GENETICS OF OBESITY - WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED FROM GWAS
by Professor Ruth Loos, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified >300 loci associated with adiposity traits. We will review how gene discovery efforts in the obesity field has contributed to new insights in the biology that underlies body weight regulation. By studying more refined adiposity phenotypes (e.g. fat percentage) and relevant biomarkers (e.g. leptin), novel genes are being identified that have not been revealed by traditional GWAS efforts for BMI or WHR. Also, by focusing on rare coding variants, that are more likely to disrupt protein function, the pinpointing of causal genes and potential weight loss drug targets is being expedited.

PREDICTING POLYGENIC OBESITY USING GENETIC INFORMATION
by Professor Ruth Loos, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York

Obesity is the result of both an unhealthy lifestyle and a genetic susceptibility to gain weight. With more than 300 common genetic variants identified, there is a growing interest in developing personalized preventive and treatment strategies to predict an individual’s risk of obesity. We will review the predictive ability of established genetic variants compared to traditional predictors, such as family history of obesity and childhood obesity, and discuss the value of genetic information in personalized approaches to body weight control. 

MECHANISMS OF CELLULAR AND METABOLIC PLASTICITY IN ADIPOSE TISSUES
by Professor James Granneman, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit

Recent research has demonstrated a remarkable cellular and metabolic plasticity of adipose tissues (brown and white) that might be exploited for therapeutic benefit.  This seminar will present research into origins and fates of adipocytes in mouse models, and detail how adrenergic activation alters metabolic phenotypes of brown and white adipocytes. 

LIPID DROPLETS AND THE CONTROL OF FATTY ACID MOBILIZATION IN FAT AND MUSCLE
by Professor James Granneman, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit

The tight control of intracellular lipid storage and mobilization is essential for metabolic health. This seminar will present and overview of the biology of intracellular lipid droplets, where lipid storage and mobilization occurs, and the core molecular machinery for fatty acid mobilization in adipose tissue muscle. In addition, data will be presented on a novel mechanism for promoting fat oxidation and thermogenesis by direct pharmacological activation of adipocyte lipolysis that might be useful for treatment of metabolic disease and cancer.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE

All interested are welcome to attend but registration is required (see below).

REGISTRATION

In order to participate in one or more of the stated webinars, you need to submit a registration using the "sign-up to event" button above.  If you missed the registration deadline, please send a e-mail to kristine.michailidis@rsyd.dk, who can provide you with a link to the meeting room and a user guide.

On the day before the given webinar, attendees will receive a link via e-mail to an online Adobe Connect meeting room, where you will be able to write questions in the chat window, raise hand, repsond to polls (if any) and download files.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information about the webinars please contact: 
Education Manager Kristine Melgaard Michailidis, kristine.michailidis@rsyd.dk