Obesity in humans has increased at an alarming rate over the past two decades and has become one of the leading public health problems worldwide. Studies have revealed a large number of genes/markers that are associated with obesity and/or obesity-related phenotypes, indicating an urgent need to develop a central database for helping the community understand the genetic complexity of obesity. In the present study, we collected a total of 1.736 obesity associated loci and created a freely available obesity database, including 1,515 protein-coding genes and 221 microRNAs (miRNA) collected from four mammalian species: human, cattle, rat and mouse. These loci were integrated as orthologs on comparative genomic views in human, cattle, and mouse. The database and genomic views are freely available online at: http://www.integratomics-time.com/fat_deposition. Bioinformatics analyses of the collected data revealed some potential novel obesity related molecular markers which represent focal points for testing more targeted hypotheses and designing experiments for further studies. We belive that this centralized database on obesity and adipogenesis will facilitate development of comparative systems biology approaches to address this important health issue in human and their potential applications in animals.
F.15 Development of a new information system/databases
COBISS.SI-ID: 3014280This discovery opens up the possibility to fight the genetic causes for obesity. Using the mouse model of obesity based on long term selection of mice from the same ancestors we managed to breed a group with a very lean and very obese mice. Interestingly, the lean mice daily eat even more calories than the fat mice. This model has led to the discovery of gene deptor, typically expressed differently in obese and lean mice. To combat obesity, it is important that we succeedd to demonstrate a link between high deptor gene expression in adipose tissue and obesity in the human population. Most of the so far known genetic variants that influence obesity, are usually acting through signaling in the brain, which in turn regulate appetite, energy expenditure etc. That is why the discovery of the deptor gene is something new, because its genetic variants and increased expression only in adipose tissue affect the increase in mass of fat, without increasing the appetite.
F.02 Acquisition of new scientific knowledge
COBISS.SI-ID: 3105672Following the invitation of the SGD, the programme group organized a round table discussion on the importance of nutrigenomics in modern nutritional science. The discussion was attended by the leading Slovenian experts in nutrition and genomics who presented the opportunities to improve the eating habits using nutrigenomic approach. The event had good coverage in media (newspapers, television) and had a good echo in scientific community.
B.01 Organiser of a scientific meeting
The online platform IntegratomicsTime (http://www.integratomics-time.com/) was established and offers data collections and bioinformatics tools for researchers working on epigenetic regulation of the genome. The database and tools are freely available and offer user-friendly environment for bioinformatics analysis.
F.16 Improvements to an existing information system/databases
COBISS.SI-ID: 3012488Daliborka Dušanić was a joung researcher, who was invited to join the Novartis dvelopment team after wining the Regional Biocamp. Ljubljana, May 23rd, 2012 - At the conclusion of the Regional BioCamp 2012, the winners of the competition part were announced. As a part of the event, which has been organized for the second time by Lek, a Sandoz Company, for promising science students from the Alpe-Adria region, Daliborka Dušanič from Biotechnical Faculty, Ljubljana showed the best ability to connect the scientific and business way of thinking, which is of key importance for success in the pharmaceutical industry. AS a winner of the Regional BioCamp 2012 she joined the annual Novartis International BioCamp, held at the end of August 2012 in Basel, Switzerland. Together with the top young science experts from all around the globe she attended a three-day seminar, gaining new knowledge and experience and learning about trends in biotechnology and biopharmacy.
F.14 Improvements to existing production methods and tools or processes