Despite extensive efforts to prevent and treat obesity and type 2 diabetes, the prevalence has reached pandemic proportions worldwide. Therefore, the scientific efforts to understand the physiological and molecular mechanisms that control body weight and insulin resistance must be intensified to identify novel and more effective therapeutic target sites.

Our group focuses on endocrine and molecular mechanisms that enhance energy expenditure to improve body weight and metabolic health. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), a circulating protein, is a very promising target. Exogenous FGF21 administration improves adiposity and serum lipid levels in mice and humans. However, little is known about FGF21’s endogenous role (Project 1). Notably, the knowledge on the molecular action is required for the development and design of safe and efficient anti-obesity drugs. A main target of FGF21 action is the activation of thermogenic adipose tissue. In contrast to white adipose tissue (WAT), which is the main tissue for energy storage, brown adipose tissue (BAT) dissipates energy as heat. Exploring how WAT can be converted into a brown fat-like phenotype (“browning”, beige/brite fat, Project 2) may improve the therapy of obesity. Furthermore, we are investigating the physiological significance, the underlying molecular mechanisms and potential requirement of  thermogenic mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 for the beneficial effects of browning.

To address our specific research aims, we make use of loss- and gain-of-function models in vitro and in vivo, combined with metabolic phenotyping and in depth molecular characterization including cellular bioenergetics.