This course explores the relationship between body fat, particularly brown fat, and its impact on weight and health. The learning outcomes include understanding the role of brown fat in generating heat, maintaining body temperature, and potentially aiding in weight management. The course covers topics such as the physiological effects of thermogenic fat, targeting thermogenic fat for treating obesity and related diseases, and the potential of brown fat activating therapies. The teaching method involves a lecture format with a focus on research findings and clinical implications. The intended audience includes individuals interested in obesity, metabolism, and potential therapeutic targets for weight management and related health conditions.
Overview
Syllabus
THE ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY
Obesity Threatens Public Health
Clinical Case
Obesity Is Defined by Excess Fat (Adipose Tissue)
Why Do We Need Adipose Tissue?
White Adipocytes (Fat Cells)
Is Fat the Problem or Could It Be Part of the Solution?
Metabolic Futile Cycle Generates Heat
Brown Fat Protects Newborns from Hypothermia
Inducible Brown Fat Can Help Adult Animals Survive in the Cold
PRDM16 Controls Brown Fat Development
3D View of Thermogenic Fat
Physiological Effects of Thermogenic Fat
Targeting Thermogenic Fat to Treat Obesity and Comorbid Diseases
Conventional Notions Suggest This Will Not Work
Cold-Inducible Brown Fat in Adult Humans
What Role Does Brown Fat Play in Human Health and Disease?
Variables Associated with Brown Fat
Brown Fat and Cardiometabolic Health
Brown Fat Protects Against Sequelae of Obesity
What Explains the Benefits Associated with Brown Fat?
The Possibility of Brown Fat Activating Therapies
A Cautionary Tale
Current Therapeutic Targets
What Determines Brown Fat Activity ?
Can We Identify Genetic Variants That Control Brown Fat?
Summary
Taught by
The Rockefeller University
