Metabolic health research

Thema:
Healthy society

Obesity is an increasing problem. Our Metabolic Health Research (MHR) expertise group helps to reduce the burden of disease through preclinical research. We focus on metabolic diseases, such as type-2 diabetes and obesity. With research, we accelerate the development of new drugs, functional foods, diagnostics, and prevention.

Research area

Our MHR expertise group develops cellular and animal models to study mechanisms, interventions, and biomarkers in metabolic diseases, and the associated complications. In preclinical research, we apply the following models:

  • Translational models, including unique, humanised transgenic mouse models.
  • In vivo and in vitro fibrosis models, combined with histological, biochemical, molecular biological, cell biological, and immunological analysis methods.

We focus on improving research on the effectiveness and safety of interventions using drugs or food. We do this by increasing knowledge of disease processes and mechanisms, and we improve the translation to humans.

Research on obesity

Video explaining our research on obesity.

Knowledge and experience

We have extensive experience in the design and implementation of applied scientific research. In addition, we invest heavily in professional project management and work with quality systems. We deliver customised projects through the direct interaction of our MHR scientists with clients.

Metabolic disease and complications

The projects are characterised by a combination of knowledge and expertise in the field of metabolic health and metabolic disease, and the associated complications, such as:

  • cardiovascular diseases
  • hepatic steatosis
  • fibrosis
  • osteoarthritis

H.A. Lorentz Prize

Our H.A. Lorentz Prize is an internal oeuvre award that we present as the crowning glory of a TNO employee's career. In 2017, we awarded the prize to Dr Hans Princen of the MHR expert group. In a video portrait, Hans talks about his career at TNO, his ambition, and his vision for the future.

Video portrait of Hans Princen, winner of the TNO H.A. Lorentz Prize.

Partners

Within MHR, we work on projects with and for partners, such as:

  • industrial biotechnology
  • pharmaceutical industry
  • diagnostics
  • food industry
  • patient organisations
  • public authorities
  • consortia

New insights

Our research provides new insights and possibilities for treating or preventing metabolic diseases. A few examples:

  • A diet in which we alternate cholesterol-free food with ‘Western’ food containing a lot of cholesterol. This has a more or less similar effect on the prevention of cardiovascular disease and liver inflammation as a completely cholesterol-free diet.
  • Metabolic stress, caused by being overweight, plays a more prominent role in the development of osteoarthritis than higher mechanical stress.
  • A new statistical approach leads to a reduction in laboratory animal use.

Possibilities for visualising and analysing body fat in laboratory animals using non-invasive MRI.

Get inspired

17 resultaten, getoond 6 t/m 10

TNO's view of 2030: 50% reduction in lifestyle-related diseases

Informatietype:
Insight
14 November 2022

We look ahead to 2030 and find out, among other things, how we can offer people a healthy environment and with a healthier lifestyle.

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over TNO's view of 2030: 50% reduction in lifestyle-related diseases

Translational models TNO excel in preclinical research

Informatietype:
Insight
13 June 2022
TNO’s animal models for NAFLD/NASH are the most translational to human tissue data in a recent Hepatology article about NAFLD/NASH and cardiovascular disease.
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over Translational models TNO excel in preclinical research

Public Private Partnership Arla Food Ingredients and Danone

Informatietype:
Insight
17 March 2022
TNO Healthy Living, Arla & Danone built an in silico model to identify markers needed to assess safety & efficacy of an immune intervention in infants.
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over Public Private Partnership Arla Food Ingredients and Danone

International Women’s Day 2022

Informatietype:
Insight
8 March 2022

Today on International Women’s Day we celebrate the success and achievements of women in science for breaking down barriers and challenging the status quo. Get to know some of TNO’s women contributing to a sustainable society every day.

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over International Women’s Day 2022

Successful results mental health program to displaced children

Informatietype:
Insight
25 January 2022
TNO and Help a Child developed BoB, Build your Own Buddy, to help displaced families in South Sudan empower themselves to cope with stress and trauma.
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over Successful results mental health program to displaced children