Clinical Obesity Research
The Blüher Lab specializes in clinical obesity and human adipose tissue research. Obesity is a pandemic that contributes to reduced life expectancy, impaired quality of life, and disabilities. Therefore, the research group aims to unravel the complex mechanisms behind this condition, which is characterized by excessive body fat accumulation, altered fat distribution and impaired function of adipose tissue. The group also studies other diseases affecting adipose tissue function include lipodystrophy, lipedema and others. Both a lack and excess of adipose tissue are associated with an increased risk for developing diseases including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular and liver diseases, obstructive sleep apnea, some types of cancer and others.
The group's focus includes understanding why many individuals consume more food than necessary, how decisions are made regarding where excess energy is stored, and what signals from adipose tissue and other organs influence eating behavior in the brain. Their research emphasizes the molecular and genetic factors that contribute to the dysfunction of adipose tissue, which can lead to these health issues.
Adipose tissue dysfunction is characterized by adipocyte hypertrophy, impaired subcutaneous AT expandability (ectopic fat deposition), hypoxia, a variety of stresses, inflammatory processes, and the release of pro-inflammatory, diabetogenic and atherogenic signals. However, there are still many open questions regarding the mechanisms how adipose tissue dysfunction develops and whether and how it could be reversed. Do AT signatures define clinically relevant subtypes of obesity? Is the cellular composition of AT associated with variation in obesity phenotypes? What role do environmental compounds play in the manifestation of AT dysfunction?
By integrating clinical and basic research at HI-MAG, the Blüher Lab employs a translational approach to decode these mechanisms. Ultimately, the aim is to enhance the quality of life for people living with obesity and related health conditions through the development,validation and clinical application of safer and more effective treatment options.
The Blüher Lab specializes in clinical obesity and human adipose tissue research. Obesity is a pandemic that contributes to reduced life expectancy, impaired quality of life, and disabilities. Therefore, the research group aims to unravel the complex mechanisms behind this condition, which is characterized by excessive body fat accumulation, altered fat distribution and impaired function of adipose tissue. The group also studies other diseases affecting adipose tissue function include lipodystrophy, lipedema and others. Both a lack and excess of adipose tissue are associated with an increased risk for developing diseases including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular and liver diseases, obstructive sleep apnea, some types of cancer and others.
The group's focus includes understanding why many individuals consume more food than necessary, how decisions are made regarding where excess energy is stored, and what signals from adipose tissue and other organs influence eating behavior in the brain. Their research emphasizes the molecular and genetic factors that contribute to the dysfunction of adipose tissue, which can lead to these health issues.
Adipose tissue dysfunction is characterized by adipocyte hypertrophy, impaired subcutaneous AT expandability (ectopic fat deposition), hypoxia, a variety of stresses, inflammatory processes, and the release of pro-inflammatory, diabetogenic and atherogenic signals. However, there are still many open questions regarding the mechanisms how adipose tissue dysfunction develops and whether and how it could be reversed. Do AT signatures define clinically relevant subtypes of obesity? Is the cellular composition of AT associated with variation in obesity phenotypes? What role do environmental compounds play in the manifestation of AT dysfunction?
By integrating clinical and basic research at HI-MAG, the Blüher Lab employs a translational approach to decode these mechanisms. Ultimately, the aim is to enhance the quality of life for people living with obesity and related health conditions through the development,validation and clinical application of safer and more effective treatment options.