A Skinny Gene? (broadcast Friday, September 7th, 2007)

Researchers are studying how a gene dubbed 'adipose' controls fat formation in organisms from fruit flies to lab mice. New work published in the journal Cell Metabolism indicates that manipulating the behavior of that gene could be a way to alter the creation of fat in a wide range of animals. "It could explain why so many people struggle to lose weight and suggests an entirely new direction for developing medical treatments that address the current epidemic of diabetes and obesity," said Jonathan Graff, one of the authors of the report. We'll talk to him about the research and what it could mean. Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.