Photo: Jonne Renvall/Tampere University
In her doctoral dissertation, M.Sc. Amna Adnan investigated how obesity, type 2 diabetes, and weight-loss surgery affect the regenerative capacity of human adipose-derived stem cells (fat stem cells). Using cells collected from the same individuals before and after substantial weight loss, Adnan demonstrated that bariatric surgery improves — but does not fully restore — the ability of these cells to regulate inflammation and promote blood-vessel formation. While some regenerative functions recover following metabolic improvement, others remain impaired. These findings highlight the importance of donor health in stem-cell-based therapies and may help guide the development of more effective, personalized regenerative therapies.
The doctoral dissertation of M.Sc. Amna Adnan in the field of biosciences titled Effects of Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, and Bariatric Surgery on Adipose Stem/Stromal Cell Characteristics and Therapeutic Potential will be publicly examined at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology at Tampere University on 22 May 2026.
The Opponent will be docent Erja Kerkelä from the University of Helsinki. The Custos will be Professor Susanna Miettinen from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University.