Institute for Obesity Research
We come together to solve one of Mexico's major public health challenges: Obesity.
Obesity is a pandemic we have faced for a long time. It is a global problem affecting individuals, families, and countless communities everywhere. In Mexico and the world, obesity leads to serious health problems, including cardiovascular diseases, some types of cancer, and diabetes. In addition to its impact on health, obesity bears social and economic costs.
Our purpose
The Institute generates forefront knowledge through scientific rigor and analysis, developing ideas and innovative solutions to the problem of obesity through inter- and trans-disciplinary work and creating scientific-technological companies to improve the health and well-being of people and society.
About our funds
The Institute for Obesity Research at the Tecnológico de Monterrey is a non-profit initiative aimed at generating scientific knowledge, ideas, and innovative solutions for the complex health issue of obesity.
The complexity of this chronic disease, obesity, requires interdisciplinary work to beneficially impact the quality of life, health, and well-being of individuals with overweight and obesity. Additionally, it involves influencing social actions, population health, and public policy to prevent and combat obesity, reduce stigma, and facilitate education about obesity.
The interdisciplinary nature of the Institute allows for multiple collaborative initiatives within the institution and externally, strengthening the research lines of our investigators and expanding the applicability of research to international initiatives.
The Institute meets and exceeds international standards of research ethics. This not only allows the use of its own financial resources but also enables competition for obtaining resources from national and international external sources through various schemes, including competitions, joint developments, and philanthropy. These resources are utilized for research, training highly qualified human resources, and developing solutions for obesity and its complications.
The Institute for Obesity Research at Tecnológico de Monterrey serves as a catalyst for significant advancements in understanding and treating obesity. Its commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration with global impact positions it as a leader in the fight against one of the most urgent health challenges of our time.
Pillars
Discover
Generation of knowledge for healthy eating and the prevention and reduction of obesity
Develop
Development of therapies, procedures, and devices to combat obesity and metabolic diseases
Enable
Facilitator of science-technology-based companies that promote metabolic health
Support
Support for decision-making that builds healthier societies
Units
Healthy Food Unit
Leader: Dr. Janet Alejandra Gutiérrez Uribe
Objective
Seeks the development of foods that prevent and combat obesity and other comorbidities associated with metabolic syndrome. Develops and validates foods that prevent and combat obesity and other comorbidities associated with metabolic syndrome. It involves nutrigenomics, personalized feeding, and the development of ingredients to provide healthy and sustainable options to society.
Bioengineering and Medical Devices Unit
Leader: Dr. Marco Antonio Rito Palomares
Objective
Develops and optimizes bioengineering platforms to produce new commercial products focused on the early detection and prevention of metabolic disorders associated with obesity.
Integrative Biology Unit
Leader: Dr. Rocío Isabel Díaz de la Garza
Objective
Generates functional knowledge and cutting-edge technologies for diagnosing, preventing, and treating metabolic diseases and obesity by integrating a large, diverse amount of experimental data on individuals, populations, and their environments.
Experimental Medicine and Advanced Therapies Unit
Leader: Dr. Gerardo de Jesús García Rivas
Objective
Characterizes the cellular and molecular mechanisms that contribute to the development of metabolic diseases and obesity. Proposes and evaluates new experimental prevention and treatment therapies in preclinical models, which lay the foundations for clinical studies of patients with metabolic disease and obesity.
Public Policy Unit
Leader: Dr. Gustavo Adolfo Merino Juárez
Objective
Researches and analyzes the social, economic, and public policy factors that affect obesity and food, their impact on society and the economy, and actions that, from the fields of public policy, economics, and law, can contribute to reducing obesity and improving nutrition.