Adipocytes are central players in the development of obesity and associated metabolic syndromes. Key areas of ongoing research in this field focus on basic mechanisms that modulate the lifespan of adipocytes, explain how resident and recruited immune cell populations influence adipose tissue remodeling and metabolic function, contribute to the functional heterogeneity of white as well as brown adipose tissue depots, and link alterations in adipocyte function to disease risk. The next few years will bring the application of new technologies and nextgen sequencing, and will likely yield unanticipated insights into developmental and functional aspects of adipocyte biology. Thus, an important goal of the meeting is to engage researchers from diverse fields to take basic discoveries in adipocyte biology to the next level, including a deepening understanding the etiology of type 2 diabetes through our joint meeting, as well as correlated diseases such as cancer, dementia, asthma. Our goals are 1) to foster cross talk between basic researchers working on model systems with those studying mammalian models and clinical/translational aspects, 2) to integrate emerging knowledge of the myriad roles of adipose tissue in understanding mechanisms linking the degree of adiposity and adipose tissue distribution to disease, 3) to disseminate knowledge of new technologies that can deepen and broaden knowledge of adipocyte biology in vivo and in vitro. Attendees will take away a more diverse knowledge of the field and an awareness of potential new mechanistic connections and therapeutic opportunities.