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Spatial organization of fat metabolism.

Image Credit: University of Zurich, Information Technology, MELS/SIVIC, Tara von Grebel

Adipocytes are "professional fat storing cells" depositing an excess of dietary nutrients as triacylglycerols, the biological form of fat, in specialized organelles called lipid droplets. Lipid droplets carry out their metabolic function in collaboration with several other organelles in the cell, and interplay which is often defective in metabolic disorders such as obesity, or type II diabetes.

The main focus in the Klemm lab is to elucidate the molecular basis of the functional interaction between organelles and lipid droplets in adipocytes, and unravel the principles of spatial organization of metabolic pathways across several compartments in the cell. A better understanding of the interrelation between cell biological mechanisms and metabolism will not only advance our basic understanding of adipocytes but will also inspire new therapeutic approaches mobilizing a large fraction of our modern society into a healthier future.

Our team

Selected publications

Podcast on special issue and DPAG arrival

Following the release of the special issue editorial on lipid droplet (LD) biology, Robin Klemm gave an interview outlining the significance of LD research, how he put the issue together and how his own work fits into this vibrant newly emerged field.

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