Genomics of Obesity and Metabolic Health in the Kilpeläinen Group

The Kilpeläinen group utilizes genomic, molecular and health data, to understand how obesity drives metabolic disease.

 Obesity is associated with poor metabolic health and increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. However, the impact of weight gain on metabolic health varies widely between individuals due to differences in the location, composition and function of adipose tissue. The overarching aim of the Kilpeläinen group is to identify causal mechanisms that influence adipose tissue characteristics upon weight gain and find ways to target these mechanisms.

 The research in Kilpeläinen group is inter-disciplinary, utilizing both computational and experimental approaches. Genetic association data from large populations are combined with results from high-throughput cellular and tissue-based assays and in vivo models. Through in-depth understanding of the mechanisms that link obesity to metabolic disease, the group seeks to open avenues for new treatments.