Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Novosibirsk State University –
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A new research project, "Development of a Diagnostic System for Assessing Ceramide Profiles to Detect Risks of Obesity Phenotype Development," has been launched at the NSU Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies. The project is being implemented with the support of the "Priority 2030" strategic academic leadership program. The work will be conducted using the infrastructure of the new NSU campus, which is being built as part of the national "Youth and Children" project.
Obesity is a chronic disease characterized by excess fat deposition in the body. According to experts at the World Health Organization, obesity is the non-communicable pandemic of the 21st century. The latest data from the World Obesity Federation indicate that, if current trends continue, at least 2.7 billion adults (approximately 38% of the global population) will be overweight by 2025. Of these, 177 million will be diagnosed with severe obesity, requiring medical attention.
However, the effectiveness of therapeutic approaches is limited, and the risk of relapse is quite high. Obesity is currently understood to be complex and results from the interaction of multiple factors (heredity, environment, behavior, etc.). Therefore, the treatment and prevention of obesity should focus on personalized predictive methods that can prevent the development of the obesity phenotype (the combination of external and internal signs, properties, and characteristics of the body). From this perspective, the study of the human lipidome (the complex of all lipids in cells, which provides comprehensive information on the body's health using mass spectrometry and bioinformatics) is of particular scientific interest.
"Recent research has focused on the role of lipids in the development of the obesity phenotype, which likely plays a key role in the prevention and treatment of obesity. Lipidome analysis has demonstrated not only the diversity of lipids in various biological tissues but also revealed complex relationships with obesity and its complications. As the obesity epidemic continues to spread and the incidence of obesity-related metabolic diseases increases, there is a need to find new diagnostic markers and targets for therapeutic intervention to change the current situation. This is the focus of the research project 'Development of a diagnostic system for assessing ceramide profiles to detect risks of developing the obesity phenotype,'" said Daria Podchinenova, Deputy Director of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences, about the goals of the new project. Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies (IMMT) NSU.
This approach holds promise for the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases and the discovery of new therapeutic strategies and molecules. Currently, no similar diagnostic systems exist in Russia.
"Our research team has already obtained data showing that certain combinations of ceramides (lipid molecules involved in the regulation of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism) have high diagnostic value for the development of the obesity phenotype. These methods need to be adapted for use in routine clinical practice," added Daria Podchinenova, project manager.
The research project is being implemented jointly with the Siberian State Medical University of the Russian Ministry of Health. The project team will include staff from NSU's Institute of Medical Technologies, graduate students, and undergraduate students.
"Developing the diagnostic system may take some time, but the first prototype is planned for 2026. It will include a ceramide detection system and a bioinformatics module that assesses the risk of developing an obesity phenotype," explained Yulia Samoylova, professor and director of the Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies at NSU. "This is especially important for the implementation of technological leadership projects planned as part of the federal project 'Creating a Network of Modern Campuses.'"
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