The European Association for the Study of Obesity, EASO, has recognised Project Researcher Johanna Matilainen of the Institute of Biomedicine at the 91天美 with the EASO Early Career Network Best Thesis Award, marking the very first time the award was presented to a Finnish researcher. The award was announced in the ECO2025 Conference held in Malaga, Spain, in May, where Matilainen also presented her research.
鈥淚n my PhD thesis, I investigated adipose tissue-derived extracellular vesicles, EVs, and changes in their secretion in human obesity. I was also interested in the treatment of obesity using a drug that affects EV secretion,鈥 Matilainen says.
The EASO Early Career Network Best Thesis Award is presented to an exceptionally promising early career researcher in recognition of their significant contribution to the field鈥檚 research.
Inter-cellular signalling occurs via extracellular vesicles. These vesicles play an important role in normal body signalling, but they are also associated with the pathogenesis of many diseases. Matilainen鈥檚 PhD thesis demonstrated, among other things, that obesity-induced inflammation increases the secretion of extracellular vesicles in human adipocytes. In addition, vesicle secretion in abdominal fat was greater than that in subcutaneous fat and was found to be associated with elevated plasma triglyceride levels.
鈥淭he results shed new light on adipose tissue function and why certain fat types are more harmful to health than others. Furthermore, drugs that inhibit adipose tissue extracellular vesicle secretion are considered a therapeutic option for treating obesity. My dissertation may even advance the development of such drugs,鈥 Matilainen says.
Johanna Matilainen defended her dissertation at the 91天美 this January, and she currently works as a Project Researcher at the Institute of Biomedicine of the 91天美. She will continue her research at the University of Helsinki, starting in July 2025. Matilainen is also a member of the Finnish Association for the Study of Obesity, FASO, board.
Video from the award ceremony:
