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Gruppenbild Clinical Obesity 2024
Helmholtz Munich| ©Friederike Butter

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.

 

Projects

Illustration of human fat cells
SciePro - stock.adobe.com
Dr. Pamela Nono Nankam

Genetic and Metabolic Dysregulation Associated with Lipedema

Explore Project
Adipocytes fats cells
Design Cells - stock.adobe.com
Dr. Pamela Nono Nankam

Human Adipose Tissue Cellular Plasticity in Response to Extreme Weight Loss at a Single Cell Resolution

Explore Project
Correcting mutation by genetic engineering
nobeastsofierce - stock.adobe.com
Genetic engineering and gene manipulation concept. Hand is replacing part of a DNA molecule.
vchalup - stock.adobe.com
Dr. Maria Keller

CRISPR dCAS9 Based Epigenetic Editing in vitro

Explore Project
many color bright candies on female tongue
Dmitry Bairachnyi - stock.adobe.com
AdobeStock_323225643
marilyn barbone - stock.adobe.com
Dr. Kerstin Rohde-Zimmermann

The Contribution of Salivary Extra-Cellular Vesicles to Taste-Cell Transcriptomics and Eating-Behavior in Obesity

Explore Project
3d abstract - human dna model futuristic background. dna double helix structure - human dna 3d model.
Md Abidur Rahman - stock.adobe.com
Kristallstruktur von Vaspin
Helmholtz Munich | John Heiker
PD Dr. Dr. John Heiker

Molecular Obesity Research

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Health counseling.
hedgehog94 - stock.adobe.com
Prof. Dr. Michael Stumvoll

Clinical Trial Unit

Lab Members

PI-/MA-Bilder Matthias Blüher_EH6A7638_Hintergrund freigestellt

Prof. Dr. Matthias Blüher

HI-MAG Director and Head of Clinical Obesity Research Group Profil anzeigen

PD Dr. Nora Klöting

Group Leader
MA-Foto-Anne Hoffmann_Hintergrund freigestellt

Dr. Anne Hoffmann

Bioinformatician
MA-Foto-Tobias-Hagemann_1_Tobias_komplett_Hintergrund freigestellt

Tobias Hagemann

Bioinformatician
MA-Foto Sontje Krupka_IMG_E0395_Hintergrund freigestellt

Sontje Krupka

PhD Candidate (CRC 1052)
MA_Foto Kristin Röhrborng_EH6A7140-2_Hintergrund freigestellt

Kristin Röhrborn

PhD Candidate (EKFS funded)
MA-Foto Susan Berthold - freigestellt

Susan Berthold

Technician
MA-Foto Alessio Pollastri - freigestellt

Alessio Pollastri

PhD Candidate

Publications of the Blüher Lab

Contact Blüher Lab

MA-Foto Susanne Renno_IMG_0179_Hintergrund freigestellt

Susanne Renno

Assistant to the Director

Leipzig