Research summary
Brown adipose tissue is a type of fat that is activated in response to cold temperatures to help maintain body temperature. The amount of this type of fat varies from person to person and is reduced in those who are obese. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that promote adipocyte thermogenesis (the process by which adipocytes, or fat cells, produce heat) is critical to determining whether brown adipose tissue activity can be harnessed to improve cardiometabolic health.
Dr. Lawrence Kazak, Canada Research Chair in Adipocyte Biology, has constructed genetic mouse models to define the role of a new signalling axis in adipocyte thermogenesis and thermogenic adipocyte development. Now, he and his research team are identifying, for the first time, how much each specific metabolic process contributes to heat production in the body. Ultimately, his research has the potential to benefit patients who are dealing with conditions associated with obesity and aging.