PhD student’s award-winning discovery could transform obesity treatment

PhD student Danise Ann Onda has uncovered a powerful new way the brain controls body weight, paving the way for new obesity interventions.

Danise’s research has identified a novel brain enzyme that acts like a ‘traffic controller’ for hunger, energy and fat storage. In obesity, this enzyme is switched on too strongly, impacting the body’s ability to regulate weight.

Her investigation demonstrated that by blocking this enzyme in specific brain cells, mice ate less, burned more energy, and even converted unhealthy fat into a healthier, calorie-burning form.

A medicine targeting the enzyme not only led to weight loss in obese mice, but also improved blood sugar control and restored sensitivity to hormones like insulin and leptin.

When combined with anti-obesity drugs such as semaglutide (Ozempic), the weight management benefits were even greater.

Danise’s discoveries have already earned international attention. She recently won the Best Speaker Award at the Hypothalamic Neuroscience and Neuroendocrinology Australasia (HNNA) Conference in New Zealand, just weeks after taking home the Best Poster Award at the Melbourne Protein Group Conference.

Obesity is one of the world’s most pressing health problems, affecting millions of people and driving conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Danise’s discoveries open a new door for therapies that could bring lasting hope to those who don’t respond to current treatments.

“Current medicines don’t work for everyone living with obesity. Our research shows that targeting this brain enzyme could complement those treatments and help patients who have limited options.”