Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 19, 2026

Determining Basal Energy Expenditure and the Capacity of Thermogenic Adipocytes to Expend Energy in Obese Mice
Published on: November 11, 2021
'Basic and Applied Thermogenesis Research' Bridging the Gap
Stefania Carobbio1, Anne-Claire Guénantin1, Antonio Vidal-Puig1
1Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK; Metabolic Research Laboratories, Addenbrooke's Treatment Centre, Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Activating brown/beige adipose tissue can combat obesity by increasing energy expenditure. Further research is needed to translate findings from cells and mice to human clinical applications for effective obesity treatment.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic research
- Obesity research
- Adipose tissue biology
Background:
- Obesity presents a significant global health challenge.
- Current pharmacological treatments for obesity are limited.
- Activating brown and beige adipose tissue is a potential strategy for energy expenditure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the potential of brown/beige adipose tissue activation for obesity treatment.
- To identify the need for improved translation between different biological systems.
- To bridge the gap between basic science and clinical applications in obesity research.
Main Methods:
- Review of current research on brown/beige adipose tissue.
- Analysis of translational challenges in obesity pharmacotherapy.
- Identification of key areas for future research and development.
Main Results:
- Brown/beige adipose tissue activation shows promise for increasing energy dissipation.
- Significant gaps exist in the transferability of findings across cellular, murine, and human models.
- Translational research is crucial for developing effective clinical strategies.
Conclusions:
- Targeting brown/beige adipose tissue is a viable strategy for obesity management.
- Enhanced translational research is essential for clinical success.
- Future efforts should focus on unifying findings from basic science to human studies.
Related Concept Videos
Mechanisms of Heat Transfer II
Mechanisms of Heat Transfer I
Mechanisms of Heat Transfer
Conduction, accounting for approximately 3% of body heat loss at rest, is the process of exchanging heat between molecules of two materials in direct contact. This can result in both heat loss and gain. For instance, when the body is submerged in water, which conducts heat 20 times more effectively than air, it can either lose or gain significant...
Mechanism of heat transfer
Thermoregulation
Body Temperature

