Genetics of the Metabolic Syndrome

The genetics of the metabolic syndrome is addressed using a systems biology based approach encompassing a combination of in depth phenotypic characterization of patients and controls with bioinformatics/biostatistics techniques. We study well-defined patient groups which have undergone very specific interventions (i.e. bariatric surgery or prolonged caloric restriction) and determine the effects on plasma and tissue specific markers determined using state-of-art –omics tools (i.e. metabolomics, transcriptomics, proteomics). In parallel, the same -omics and bioinformatics/biostatistics tools are used in larger cohorts to determine the epidemiological associations of these markers. The embedding of the research in both Human Genetics and Endocrinology allows for swift transition of bench-to-bedside and bedside-to-bench research.