Antonio Vidal-Puig - Biography#

Antonio Vidal-Puig is a globally recognised leader in metabolic research, renowned for introducing the adipose tissue expandability hypothesis and pioneering the concept of lipotoxicity, both of which transformed understanding of obesity-related metabolic diseases. His groundbreaking work demonstrated how impaired adipose storage capacity and ectopic lipid deposition drive insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. These concepts continue to shape research and clinical strategies in the field.

His innovative studies integrate systems biology, stem cell models, and advanced omics approaches to uncover mechanisms governing energy balance and metabolic flexibility. His lab has defined the critical roles of brown and beige adipose tissue in thermogenesis, energy regulation, and interorgan communication. Recent discoveries, such as extracellular vesicle-mediated signals from brown fat to the liver, provide new insights into interorgan metabolic regulation and therapeutic targets for diabetes and obesity.

His leadership extends globally through initiatives like the Cambridge-Príncipe Felipe Research Unit in Valencia and strategic collaborations in China and Singapore. With over 250 publications, an h-index of 117, and more than 46,000 citations, Antonio’s contributions rank among the most impactful in metabolic research.

Antonio has shaped European biomedical research as Chair of the ERC LS4 Panel (2018–2023), fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. He serves on advisory boards of top research institutions, including IDIBAPS and INCLIVA, guiding their strategic development. As a mentor, he has trained 18 Ph.D. students and 23 postdoctoral fellows, many of whom have advanced to prominent academic and industrial roles. His achievements are recognised with honours, including the British Endocrine Society Medal and the Hippocrates International Award for Nutrition Research.