title: Improved methodologies for the study of adipose biology: insights gained and opportunities ahead.
abstract: Adipocyte differentiation and function have become areas of intense focus in the field of energy metabolism; however, understanding the role of specific genes in the establishment and maintenance of fat cell function can be challenging and complex. In this review, we offer practical guidelines for the study of adipocyte development and function. We discuss improved cellular and genetic systems for the study of adipose biology and highlight recent insights gained from these new approaches.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Touchstone Diabetes Center, and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75287.
authors.forename: Qiong A
authors.initials: QA
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Philipp E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Scherer
authors.forename: Rana K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Gupta
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000502:physiology; D050156:Adipogenesis; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D019070:Cell Lineage; D058948:Cell Tracking; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D023421:Models, Animal; D009928:Organ Specificity
keywords: adipogenesis; energy metabolism; obesity