Fibrobesity: What?

The world-class research at the University of Oulu on hypoxia and extracellular matrix (ECM) together with cutting-edge research on obesity, cardiovascular risk factors, metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome and other fibrosis-related diseases, combined with our unique population and patient cohort studies and state-of-the art research infrastructure, form the basis of FIBROBESITY.

The pressing issues addressed by Fibrobesity relate to its three sub-themes.

1. Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Significance of Fibrosis (FIBRO1) strives to identify currently poorly known molecular pathways causative for obesity and fibrosis;
2. Disease Modelling for Future Therapies (FIBRO2) facilitates translational studies through development of novel in vitro and in vivo disease models; and
3. Societal and Behavioral Perspectives (FIBRO3) combines approaches at a broader range of disciplines to reveal lifelong behavioral determinants of obesity.

Fibrobesity specifically addresses the following questions:

1. What are the genetic and other risk factors leading to obesity and fibrosis-related co-morbidities in individuals and in populations? How can we identify individuals with the increased risk?

2. What are the mechanisms and associations of early-life exposures, lifelong risk for obesity and co-morbidities including fibrosis in selected complex chronic diseases? What are the factors predicting the extent of weight-loss in the intervention and cohort studies?

3. What are the molecular mechanisms connecting obesity and fibrosis, including the roles of hypoxia, ECM remodelling and inflammation?

4. Can we treat obesity and fibrosis-related co-morbidities by controlling those identified molecular mechanisms, such as activation of the hypoxia response, in vitro and in vivo?

5. What kind of historical, socio-cultural and behavioural factors underlie obesity and related health issues? How can these insights be integrated to behavioural guidance?