Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease, and many types of cancer. Collectively, these associated diseases are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. A deeper understanding of the biology of adipose tissue and pathophysiology of obesity will be critical to address this major threat to human health.

To that end, the Obesity and Adipose Tissue Keystone meeting aims to:

1. highlight cutting-edge science spanning basic molecular and cellular biology to human studies
2. showcase the latest advances in the genetics of human obesity and body fat distribution;
3. identify emerging mechanisms of disease and therapeutics.

We anticipate that attendees will be exposed to the latest, unpublished work driving this field and will leave the meeting inspired to make new contributions to the study of obesity and adipose tissue. Our meeting fills a unique need by spanning from basic biology to human genetics and population-based studies. Our meeting will also unite scientists in academia and industry to highlight both disease mechanisms and therapeutics. By providing this broad picture of adipose tissue and obesity, we hope to foster new collaborations and motivate a new generation of scientists to pursue creative multidisciplinary approaches to shape this field.

This conference will be held jointly with the Keystone Symposium on MASH Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Approaches to encourage cross-disciplinary insights and collaborations towards understanding underlying mechanisms of how obesity leads to liver disease.