The aim of the Stock conference is to bring together world leading experts to discuss a focused topic related to obesity. This years meeting will focus on the topic of Brown Adipose Tissue - a human anti-obesity tissue?
The recent demonstration that Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT) exists in substantial amounts in adult humans has rejuvenated interest in the role of brown adipocyte thermogenesis in energy balance regulation. The renewed appeal for BAT thermogenesis has also been aroused by remarkable biological discoveries, which include (i) the demonstration that brown adipocytes in classical BAT depots (for instance, interscapular BAT in laboratory rodents) do not share their origin with white adipocytes but with myocytes, (ii) the indication that brown adipocytes proliferating in classical white adipose tissue (WAT) depots (for instance retroperitoneal or inguinal fat pads in rodents) have an origin that differs from that of brown fat cells found in interscapular BAT, and (iii) the identification through transneuronal viral retrograde tract tracing studies of numerous brain pathways that could drive the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) outflow to BAT and WAT.
This 2012 Michael Stock Conference will regroup prominent scientists who have contributed to not only decipher the mechanisms underlying BAT thermogenesis but also to highlight the potential for this process in the regulation of energy balance in obesity. This edition of the Stock Conference will be 11th of the series and what better way to celebrate this anniversary than holding a meeting on BAT thermogenesis in relation to obesity; Michael Stock dedicated his whole career to BAT with the strong belief that SNS-mediated BAT thermogenesis was a relevant issue in energy balance regulation in humans.