
Genomics of Obesity and Metabolic Health in the Kilpeläinen Group
The Kilpeläinen Group investigates the influence of genes on obesity and metabolic health, to find new ways to prevent obesity-related metabolic diseases.

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.
"Genetic studies of leptin concentrations implicate leptin in the regulation of early adiposity"
Published in Diabetes in 2020, this study finds that both coding and non-coding variants of the leptin gene are linked to childhood adiposity.
"Multi-ancestry study of blood lipid levels identifies four loci interacting with physical activity"
Published in Nature Communications in 2019, this study uses data from >250,000 adults to identify genetic variants for which the effects on lipid levels are modified by physical activity.
"Obesity, unfavorable lifestyle and genetic risk of type 2 diabetes"
Published in Diabetologia in 2020, this study finds that having normal body weight is crucial in the prevention of type 2 diabetes, regardless of genetic predisposition.
Group Leader
Tuomas Oskari Kilpeläinen
Associate Professor
Phone: +45 3533 2247
tuomas.kilpelainen@sund.ku.dk
Staff list
Name | Title | Phone | |
---|---|---|---|
Belanich, Jonathan Robert | Postdoc | +4535326559 | |
Carrasquilla, Germán D. | Assistant Professor | +4535334595 | |
Charmet, Romain Michel-Louis To | Postdoc | +4535335316 | |
Christiansen, Malene Revsbech | PhD Student | +4535322249 | |
Drag, Markus Hodal | Postdoc | +4535331325 | |
García Ureña, Mario | PhD Fellow | ||
Gál, Boglár | Master Student | ||
Hecq, Aurore | External | ||
Huang, Yuejiao | Research Assistant | ||
Jakupovic, Hermina | Research Assistant | +4535334674 | |
Metz, Sophia | PhD Student | +4535336653 | |
Mosnier, Alizée | Erasmus Master Student | ||
Oskari Kilpeläinen, Tuomas | Associate Professor | +4535332247 | |
Romero Lado, María José | Master Student | ||
Sánchez Lorente, Javier | Master Student |