Thomas Stulnig coordinates European partner project TOBI to combat the consequences of obesity

TOBI (Targeting OBesity-driven Inflammation) seeks new medication-based strategies to combat the causes of this condition, viz. atherosclerosis ("hardening" or "furring" of the arteries) and diabetes mellitus. This is to alleviate the patients' symptoms and curb health system expenses. This project, which is carried out within the EU's seventh framework programme and has only recently been granted, is coordinated by the Medical University of Vienna and boasts provider partners from five European countries.

The TOBI project mainly aims to study to date unknown inflammatory mechanisms in the adipose tissue. According to very recent findings they cause the development of atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus. Ao. Prof. Dr. Thomas Stulnig, specialist for metabolism and hormone diseases at the Department of Medicine III of the Medical University of Vienna (MUW) / Vienna General Hospital (AKH Wien) and coordinator of the project, explains: "A chronic inflammation in the fatty tissue of adipose, or overweight patients is a major factor in the emergence of atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus type 2. Atherosclerosis and diabetes, in turn, are the basis for life-threatening diseases such as heart attack, stroke and kidney failure. Our aim is therefore to prevent these fatal consequences of obesity by developing medication that suppresses the inflammation in the adipose tissue", adds Prof. Dr. Stulnig. In addition, a so-called "TOBI toolbox" with useful methodology will be developed to further promote obesity research also after the project duration has expired.

Award of the "Austrian champion in European research" on the 2nd of April 2008 "The excellent assessment of TOBI by the independent experts of the seventh framework programme to us is a sign of trust in the project and the involved experts. We consider the granting of the TOBI project a major mandate for the benefit of obese patients", emphasises Prof. Dr. Stulnig, who will be one of the  "Austrian champions in European research" awarded on the 2nd of April 2008 within the framework of an event held by the Austrian Society for Research Sponsorship.

TOBI - Targeting OBesity-driven Inflammation
TOBI is a collaborative project under the assistance agreement HEALTH-F2-2007-201608 of the seventh framework programme of the European Commission. TOBI aims to analyse the mechanisms that trigger inflammatory responses in the fatty tissue of adipose patients. TOBI aims to develop new strategies to reduce or prevent the unfavourable effects of adipokines - these are messenger substances produced in the fatty tissue - with regard to their insulin effect and tissue function. Special attention will be paid to fat adipokines, signal transduction pathways of cell activation, and the identification of possible attacker molecules for pharmaceutical therapy.

The project was officially launched on the 1st of January 2008 and is scheduled to run for 36 months with committed maximum funds by the EU totalling EUR 2.98m. The Medical University of Vienna is in charge of coordinating the project.

TOBI partners
Medical University Vienna (AUT; coordinator); Biolution GmbH (KMU; AUT); University of Cologne (DE); Universita politecnica delle marche (IT); Genfit SA (KMU; FR); Pharm-analyt (KMU; AUT); University of Durham (UK); Institut Pasteur de Lille (FR); The University of Edinburgh (UK); Graz University (AUT).

Website: http://www.tobi-project.eu