SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIA SERIES

Emerging Issues in Energy Balance, Adipocyte Biology & Developmental Origins of Chronic Disease

11/9/2009 - 11/10/2009

Co-chairs:
Claude Bouchard, PhD, Executive Director Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Professor, Human Genomics
Rudolph Leibel, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University
Masanobu Kawakami, MD, Professor and Chairman, Department of Medicine, Omiya Medical Center, Jichi Medical School

Program Description:
Obesity and related metabolic diseases including type 2 diabetes are reaching epidemic proportions. These diseases have major public health implications as well as the potential to negatively impact the performance of military personnel.  This meeting will bring together 60 experts in the fields of molecular biology, genetics, endocrinology, neuroscience, nutrition, physiology and radiology to focus on new developments and findings in metabolism and obesity research.  The following objectives will be pursued:

Objectives:
1. To integrate the latest published and unpublished findings from the fields of adipocyte, biology, energy balance and disease epidemiology into a cohesive framework that promotes consensus and directs future research

2. To identify current and evolving tools for measuring genetic indicators, physiological mechanisms, body composition, and behaviors mediating metabolic diseases including obesity.
 
3. To describe interactions with adipose tissue and immune and inflammatory processes during obesity and aging.

Background:
The US-Japan Nutrition and Metabolism Panel have conducted annual symposia for many years with venues varying between countries.  This year, the panel chose to conduct their annual meeting in conjunction with an established symposia series at Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA.
The Pennington Scientific Symposia Series was established in 2002 to attract world-renowned scientists to the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, to allow them the opportunity to interact and synthesize knowledge in selected areas of nutrition and preventive medicine research.

Scientific Symposia are coordinated by the Division of Education at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in conjunction with funding provided by the Pennington Foundation and other resources. The Pennington Biomedical Research Foundation provides Pennington Biomedical Research Center with vital funding for this education series as well as for nutrition-based research that aims to curb the epidemic of obesity and prevent premature death from chronic diseases.