Childhood Obesity and Metabolic Research
While the consequences of obesity are generally recognized in adulthood, the pathogenic processes that lead to obesity and its complications are effective considerably earlier in childhood. We have shown that early childhood is a vulnerable age for the development of obesity, which is sustained into adulthood. Moreover, our research demonstrated that even in children, obesity is already linked to emerging cardiometabolic dysfunction, which is closely associated with alterations in adipose tissue biology.
Our research group focuses on the origins, mechanisms, and consequences of childhood obesity and metabolic deterioration. We place particular emphasis on the early development of metabolic complications and the role of adipose tissue function, employing a holistic translational approach that integrates experimental research with epidemiological, clinical, and genetic studies. We develop novel and more precise risk detection and implement trials on novel treatment opportunities.
Our overarching goal is to address childhood obesity by advancing our understanding of its epidemiological and clinical correlations, underlying mechanisms - with a special focus on adipose tissue dysfunction - and the interplay of genetic and environmental risk factors. Through this deeper insight, we aim to identify novel targets for prevention and therapeutic intervention.
While the consequences of obesity are generally recognized in adulthood, the pathogenic processes that lead to obesity and its complications are effective considerably earlier in childhood. We have shown that early childhood is a vulnerable age for the development of obesity, which is sustained into adulthood. Moreover, our research demonstrated that even in children, obesity is already linked to emerging cardiometabolic dysfunction, which is closely associated with alterations in adipose tissue biology.
Our research group focuses on the origins, mechanisms, and consequences of childhood obesity and metabolic deterioration. We place particular emphasis on the early development of metabolic complications and the role of adipose tissue function, employing a holistic translational approach that integrates experimental research with epidemiological, clinical, and genetic studies. We develop novel and more precise risk detection and implement trials on novel treatment opportunities.
Our overarching goal is to address childhood obesity by advancing our understanding of its epidemiological and clinical correlations, underlying mechanisms - with a special focus on adipose tissue dysfunction - and the interplay of genetic and environmental risk factors. Through this deeper insight, we aim to identify novel targets for prevention and therapeutic intervention.
Contact Körner Lab
Selected Publications of the Körner Lab
See all2024 Nature
Epigenetic inheritance of diet-induced and sperm-borne mitochondrial RNAs
Epidemiologic and functional evidence of paternal contribution to offspring obesity and metabolic risk
2023 Lancet Reg Health Eur
Evidence for superiority of age specific insulin-based cut-offs for prediction of metabolic failure
2022 Nat Metab
Identification and characterization of a new monogenic obesity trait
2022 Nat Metab
Independent phenotypic plasticity axes define distinct obesity sub-types
Translation of molecular determinants for obesity-overgrowth subtypes from mice to human
2021 EClinicalMedicine
Translation of molecular determinants for obesity-overgrowth subtypes from mice to human
2020 Cell Rep
The Obesity-Susceptibility Gene TMEM18 Promotes Adipogenesis through Activation of PPARG
Functional evidence on obesity gene TMEM18 driving healthy adipogenesis in humans
2018 N Engl J Med
Acceleration of BMI in early childhood and risk of sustained obesity
Landmark study showing that obesity manifests in early childhood in >50,000 children
2016 Cell
Trim28 Haploinsufficiency Triggers Bi-stable Epigenetic Obesity
First evidence on obesity polyphenism in children triggered by epigenetic mechanisms. >125 citations
2015 Diabetes
First study providing evidence of adipose tissue dysfunction developing already in childhood. >125 citations
2007 Cell Metab.
Nampt/PBEF/Visfatin regulates insulin secretion in beta cells as a systemic NAD biosynthetic enzyme.
Functional evidence for Nampt being important for insulin secretion. >700 citations
2007 Nat Genet.
Variation in FTO contributes to childhood obesity and severe adult obesity.
One of the two papers that initially found FTO as the strongest genetic candidate for obesity. >1,500 citations