Research group Group Bengtsson
Obesity is a major inducer of type II diabetes and it is estimated by the World Health Organization that over 500 million people worldwide suffer from either of these disorders, with the incidence increasing dramatically over the last 10 years.
![ATR_uppdaterad text](/polopoly_fs/1.661388.1687349070!/image/image.png_gen/derivatives/widescreen_690/image.png)
Group description
Group Bengtsson has been conducting innovative research into diabetes and obesity for over a decade, focusing on β-adrenergic receptors and their role in glucose uptake within skeletal muscle and brown fat. This receptor pathway, activated by the sympathetic nervous system, functions independently of insulin, and can potentially help manage blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes.
Employing advanced techniques and both in vitro and in vivo methodologies, we are studying this pathway and its various components. Our research involves examining different agonists and their respective signaling profiles.
Our understanding of β-adrenergic receptors has broadened our research scope to include other organs such as the brain, liver, and pancreas. We are specifically investigating how small adrenergic ligands activate different intracellular pathways to promote beneficial physiological outcomes, like reducing lipid droplet sizes in the liver, with minimal side effects.
Another significant aspect of the group's research is our exploration into the potential of silica particles for improving metabolic health. These porous particles can capture metabolic enzymes, with the potential to slow down metabolism. This innovative approach has already demonstrated several benefits in humans, including the prevention of glucose spikes after meals, overall reduction in blood glucose levels, and facilitation of fat loss.
Throughout the years, we have developed and evaluated a variety of unique strategies to combat metabolic diseases. These strategies employ both silica-based methods and small molecules. The pivotal discoveries made in this process have inspired Tore Bengtsson to establish collaborations between international research organizations and commercial entities for the treatment of metabolic diseases.
Group members
Group managers
Tore Bengtsson
Professor
![Foto: Eva Dalin/Stockholms universitet Tore Bengtsson](/polopoly_fs/1.591760.1642153828!/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/box_260/image.jpg)
Members
Federico Bocci
Student
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Xiaowen Cheng
Gästforskare
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Ghislaine Robert-Nicoud
Gästforskare
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Aikaterini Motso
Doktorand
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Marcelo Freitas Montenegro
Researcher
![The image shows Dr Montenegro explaining a graph in the white board. He point with his finger a detail i the graph, he is wearing glasses and gesticulate with another hand Dr Marcelo Montenegro given a lecture](/polopoly_fs/1.651998.1679654058!/image/image.jpeg_gen/derivatives/box_260/image.jpeg)
Anastasia Kalinovich
Guest researcher
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Anna Ioannidou
Gästforskare
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Anna Sandström
Laboratory technician
![Foto: Eva Dalin/Stockholms universitet Anna Sandström](/polopoly_fs/1.591765.1642154192!/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/box_260/image.jpg)
Christine Kallenberg
Student
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Csaba Adori
Researcher
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Diane Natacha Alleluia
Laboratorietekniker
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Jeanha Baek
Project leader
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Klara Tistrand
Student
![Photo: N/A, License: N/A, Created: 2020:09:30 02:35:13 Klara Tistrand](/polopoly_fs/1.645177.1675161112!/image/image.jpeg_gen/derivatives/box_260/image.jpeg)
Muhammad Hamza Bokhari
PhD student
![Foto: Niklas Björling/Stockholms universitet Muhammad Hamza Bokhari](/polopoly_fs/1.591769.1642154662!/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/box_260/image.jpg)
Pia Andersson
Guest researcher
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