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

45 resultaten, getoond 1 t/m 5

‘The Netherlands excels in knowledge but lacks the drive for innovation’-insights from Tjark Tjin-A-Tsoi

Informatietype:
Insight
25 November 2024
What does the future of innovation in the Netherlands look like? Although we still live in a prosperous country, it is time to renew our economy.

3D printed food: the future of personalised nutrition

Informatietype:
Insight
21 November 2024

SSbD presents significant opportunities for the Dutch chemical sector to maintain its leadership position

Informatietype:
Insight
23 August 2024

BASF and TNO collaborate on Decision Support for Safe and Sustainable by Design

Informatietype:
Insight
17 July 2024

Safe and sustainable chemicals drive business opportunities and societal transitions

Informatietype:
Insight
5 July 2024