"Our aim is to create a multiannual joint programme dedicated to exchanges of research staff between European (Sweden, Greece, UK) research entities and other third countries (Brazil, Belarus, and In-dia) to increase knowledge on adipose tissue plasticity and human thermogenesis. The proposal stems from recent reports suggesting that mammalian adipose tissue has the ability to alter its structure and phenotype depending on the environmental or physiological situation (e.g. cold exposure or exercise). If this is confirmed, it will have important implications regarding overall metabolic rate, body weight regulation, and cardio-metabolic disease in humans. The project is designed to exploit the complimentary expertise of EU and third country research or-ganisations through knowledge sharing and transfer between countries. This will be achieved by establishing a Network of Excellence (NoE) that will incorporate staff secondments for the purpose of networking, training activities, workshops, and joint research. Thus, this proposal will foster a mutual understanding of the different disciplines, encouraging entrepreneurship and long-term interdisciplinary collaboration regarding adipose tissue plasticity and human thermogenesis."