Building better fat pads - A cure for the metabolic syndrome?

Purpose and goal

Project aims: 1) Identity new targets for the treatment of the metabolic syndrome, focusing on adipose tissue 2) Become a fully independent researcher affiliated with the Endocrine section at the Inst. f. Neuroscience and Physiology 3) Serve as a link in between Swedish and foreign milieu Overall, these goals have been achieved! I have however not joined the Endocrine section. Instead, my lab is affiliated with a new Department of Metabolic Physiology. Upon my return to Sweden, the opportunity of contributing to this new department arose, an exiting project I didn´t want to miss out on.

Results and expected effects

Results: 1) The support from VINNOVA has contributed greatly to my journey towards independence as a scientist 2) Today, I lead a research team that focuses on the role of adipose tissue in the pathogenesis of metabolic disease 3) We still collaborate with Prof. Philipp Scherer, which is of great benefit also for my new colleagues in Sweden 4) During this project, I have published nine original articles of which several are in high-impact journals Now, I hope to inspire my students to accomplish their research and career goals, as well as to lead my team towards new exciting discoveries.

Approach and implementation

I became a VINNMER fellow when I was a postdoc in Prof. Philipp Scherers lab at UTSW Medical Ctr in the US. Having my own funding made it possible for me to develop an own research niche. In turn, this paved the way for my success in attracting larger project grants (from e.g. Swedish Research Council), which have allowed me to become a fully independent researcher at GU. Beyond my scientific efforts, I have spent lots of energy on building up my lab, applying for various necessary permits, recruiting lab citizens and not the least, developing my leadership skills, including pedagogical skills.