Diabetes is a growing threat to public health worldwide. Type 2 diabetes results from insulin resistance and impaired beta cell function. Studies of insulin signaling and its interactions with nutrient and hormonal pathways remain central to ongoing research efforts to combat diabetes and its complications. The pace of discovery has been especially brisk in several areas: the mechanisms of inflammation-induced insulin resistance; the role of mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative capacity in the susceptibility to the metabolic syndrome; the “endocrine” function of adipocytes by way of adipocytokine production; the mechanistic integration of beta cell failure and insulin resistance; the role of neural circuits in energy balance; and the mechanisms by which “non-canonical” insulin target tissues contribute to the onset of diabetes. The conference will act as a catalyst for further progress by bringing together leaders in the academic and pharmaceutical communities to present the latest developments in their research.

Upon completion of this meeting, participants should be able to

• assess the role of neural circuits in energy balance;
• describe the role of mitochondria and adipocytokines in the metabolic syndrome;
• summarize current knowledge of mechanistic integration of beta cell failure and insulin resistance;
• review transcriptional mechanisms by which different insulin target tissues contribute to the onset of diabetes.