Patrick C.N. Rensen investigates how disturbances in energy metabolism are involved in the development of obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The overall aim of his research is to apply the knowledge obtained to develop novel therapeutic strategies to prevent and treat these diseases. To this end, he unravels mechanisms underlying the function of brown adipose tissue, develops ways to non-invasively assess the activity of brown adipose tissue, and investigates the consequences of activation and recruitment of brown adipose tissue for cardiometabolic health. The role of DNA and proteins, lifestyle, the biological clock, gut microbiota and the immune system are specifically being investigated. Therefore, his research fits well within the themes ‘Health care research, sickness prevention and treatment’ and ‘Regenerative medicine’ of the Dutch National Research Agenda.