Genetic, molecular and physiological mechanisms involved in human obesity-lessons from animal models

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• Dr Sadaf Farooqi, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories
• Wednesday 16 February 2011, 16:30-17:30
• Lecture Theatre 1, Department of Veterinary Medicine.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Suzy Blows.

Whilst the recent rise in the prevalence of obesity has been driven by environmental factors, there is considerable evidence from twin and adoption studies that body weight and fat mass are highly heritable traits and differences in susceptibility to obesity have strong genetic determinants. The identification of patients with mutations in the gene encoding the hormone leptin, and their successful treatment with recombinant human leptin, have provided insights into the role of leptin responsive pathways in the regulation of eating behaviour, intermediary metabolism, the onset of puberty and T-cell mediated immunity. Leptin acts by regulating a complex network of brain responses that can be studied using functional imaging, to co-ordinate changes in nutritional state with changes in food intake and the “liking” of food. A downstream target of leptin action, the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R), plays a key role in modulating sympathetic nervous system mediated changes in blood pressure. Recently, genome wide approaches are proving to be an increasingly important tool in understanding the genetic heterogeneity associated with common obesity. The discovery of how genetic variation at an individual and at a population level contributes to weight gain will drive further understanding of the molecular pathways involved in energy homeostasis.

This talk is part of the Departmental Seminar Programme, Department of Veterinary Medicine series.

This talk is included in these lists:

• All Talks (aka the CURE list)
• Cambridge Immunology
• Cambridge Infectious Disease
• Cambridge Infectious Diseases
• Departmental Seminar Programme, Department of Veterinary Medicine
• Lecture Theatre 1, Department of Veterinary Medicine
• Vet School Seminars

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