“Reshape Adipocytes” – Epigenetically Modulating Adipocyte Function
Adipose tissue is an endocrine organ that plays a crucial role in human metabolism. The body contains several adipose tissue depots – each with distinct cellular composition and function. In individuals with obesity, enlargement and altered behavior of these depots can impair metabolic health and contribute to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes.
In the EKFS-funded project “Reshape Adipocytes”, Maria Keller investigates how the plasticity of fat cells can be modulated through targeted interventions in DNA methylation (DNAm). The aim is to identify new strategies to counteract metabolic complications such as insulin resistance. Since genetic factors alone cannot fully explain adipose tissue dysfunction, epigenetic editing offers a promising avenue to uncover novel therapeutic approaches. Ultimately, the project aims to pave the way for tissue-specific, personalized treatments.
The Else Kröner Fresenius Foundation annually funds medical research projects and humanitarian medical projects in developing countries. “Reshape Adipocytes” is funded through the foundation’s First and Second Applications program, which helps early-career researchers in the field of medicine establish scientific independence.
Lipidomic Insights into Adipose Tissue Health
Adipose tissue is more than a passive reservoir for excess calories – it is an active organ that communicates with the rest of the body through hormones and metabolic signals. However, much remains unknown about how different fat depots and their lipid composition influence blood lipid profiles and the risk of developing conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
The DZD-funded collaborative project aims to close this knowledge gap by combining lipid analyses of adipose tissue and blood with the detection of adipose tissue-derived DNA fragments (liquid biopsies). This approach will help determine which fat depots contribute most significantly to circulating lipid profile. The project will also explore the role of dietary fats in shaping these processes. In the long term, the researchers aim to develop blood-based biomarkers that enable early detection of adipose tissue dysfunction and more precise risk assessments for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.
This project is being carried out in collaboration with Dr. Fabian Eichelmann from the German Institute of Human Nutrition (DIfE) Potsdam-Rehbruecke (DIfE).
The German Center for Diabetes Research promotes collaboration between DZD partner sites with the aim of bringing together different expertise and resources to jointly investigate a problem in translational diabetes research.
