PROBLEM
Beige adipocytes are a compelling interventional target for obesityrelated disorders given their propensity to stimulate weight loss and promote resistance to obesity through homeostatic control of energy
balance. Naturally occurring beige adipocyte precursors isolated from human adipose tissue have limited expansion potential, and precursors from obese patients show a decreased capacity for adipocyte differentiation and a compromised ability for beige adipogenesis. Thus, the use of these cells as a cellular therapy to supplement obese/diabetic patients with additional beige adipocytes through transplantation is limited.

SOLUTION
We have developed a method to generate a renewable and unlimited source patient-matched beige adipocytes from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) that could be used to increase energy expenditure for potential weight loss and reversal of type 2 diabetes.

VALUE/BENEFIT

Provides and unlimited supply of patient matched cellular material for therapeutic use, cells are also useful for large scale screening of compounds that could increase energy expenditure and weight loss