BPGbio and Joslin Diabetes Center Report Blue Light's Impact on Fat Reduction

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BPGbio, an innovative biopharma company specializing in mitochondrial biology and protein homeostasis, along with Joslin Diabetes Center, the foremost diabetes care and research institution, announced the publication of a significant study in the journal Nature Communications. The research, titled "Light-responsive adipose-hypothalamus axis controls metabolic regulation," illustrates the promising effects of blue light exposure on fat cells and metabolic health.

The collaborative study between Joslin Diabetes Center and BPGbio revealed key findings that could pave the way for novel obesity treatments. Exposing the subcutaneous white adipose tissue of mice to blue light for eight days improved metabolic abnormalities in mice that were fed a high-fat diet. This blue light exposure also resulted in reduced lipid accumulation and smaller fat cells, suggesting a beneficial impact on metabolic health.

A crucial aspect of the study highlighted the interaction between fat tissue and the brain, which is essential for these positive effects. Interestingly, human fat cells exhibited similar responses to blue light, indicating potential real-world applications for this mechanism in managing obesity and related metabolic disorders. The results suggest that light-responsive treatments could become a new method for addressing obesity by leveraging the body's natural light responses.

Dr. Yu-Hua Tseng, the Principal Investigator of the study and a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, emphasized the potential implications of the findings. "With 1 in 8 people globally living with obesity, our study's findings hold promise for making obesity management more accessible and affordable," said Dr. Tseng. She acknowledged the vital contribution of BPGbio's scientific team and their advanced multi-omics analysis, which were instrumental in making this study possible.

BPGbio utilized its comprehensive multi-omics analysis, part of its NAi Interrogative Biology® Platform, to identify the metabolic mechanism by which blue light affects fat cells. This platform enabled BPGbio to uncover the fat's ability to sense light, which can reprogram metabolism in the body. Dr. Michael Kiebish, VP of Platform and Translational Science at BPGbio, expressed satisfaction with the collaborative effort, noting that the NAi platform provided novel insights into the mechanisms of fat sensing through blue light. This collaboration has accelerated the understanding of complex biological processes, potentially leading to new therapeutics for obesity and related diseases.

The NAi Interrogative Biology Platform incorporates BPGbio's clinically annotated proprietary biobank, advanced Bayesian artificial intelligence, and the computational power of the world's fastest supercomputer, Frontier, located at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. These tools enable BPGbio to apply artificial intelligence to biology, facilitating AI-driven target nomination, discovery, and molecule design. The platform has been instrumental in identifying over 100 drug targets and diagnostic biomarkers, supporting research partnerships with various government, industry, and academic entities, including the U.S. Department of Defense, Sanofi, and Harvard Medical School.

BPGbio, headquartered in Boston, is a leading AI-powered clinical-stage biopharma and diagnostics company. It focuses on oncology, neurology, and rare diseases, with a robust pipeline of AI-developed therapeutics, several of which are in late-stage development. The company's innovative approach, supported by over 400 patents and a vast clinically annotated biobank, aims to transform the understanding and treatment of diseases by integrating biology, data, and AI.

Joslin Diabetes Center, part of Beth Israel Lahey Health, is dedicated to advancing diabetes care and research. It is a comprehensive health care system that includes academic medical centers, teaching hospitals, community and specialty hospitals, and a large network of physicians and employees committed to enhancing medical science and practice through pioneering research and education.