New things can be exciting, and the newly named holder of the William W. Hardy Chair in Obesity Research in Wayne State's department of nutrition and food science already has brought a lot of excitement to the university.

That's because Nikhil Dhurandhar, who comes to WSU from the University of Wisconsin, believes he has found a new way of looking at the condition of obesity -- a way that may give people new hope in the battle of the bulge. Generating such important research was a key factor in the establishment of the Hardy chair, which is funded by a $1 million anonymous donation. Another $1 million was given by the donor to establish the Rochester Center for Obesity Research, where Dhurandhar is executive director. The center is a not-for-profit organization founded to conduct research in obesity and to provide scientific information to the public about obesity research.

Through research that began with chickens in his native India, Dhurandhar showed that infection due to a human adenovirus (Ad-36) can cause obesity in animals; he eventually worked his way to a study of human serums. The study found that 30 percent of obese men and women (defined as having a body mass index of 27 or above) had antibodies to adenovirus Ad-36. On the other hand, only 5 percent of the lean people tested had antibodies to Ad-36.

What that means is that compared to the lean people, greater numbers of obese people had been infected with Ad-36 in the past and their bodies had produced antibodies to fight the infection. It is possible that the obese individuals having antibodies to Ad-36 had developed their obesity as a result of Ad-36 infection.

Although only about a third of the subjects in the study had the antibodies, Dhurandhar believes the implications of his study are equally important for the other 70 percent.

"If one virus can cause obesity in some cases, there may be other viruses causing obesity," Dhurandhar says. "This opens the door for people to consider viruses as a cause of obesity, and to view obesity as a disease, not a lack of willpower.

Dhurandhar will share some of his findings with the general public on Saturday, May 6, at Twin Lakes Golf and Swim Club in Oakland Township, Mich., during a symposium on Weight Management and Treatment Options. The event will run from

9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and will feature internationally known scientists and clinicians in the field of obesity from WSU, Baylor College of Medicine, the University of Michigan, the University of Wisconsin and Roche Laboratories.

Topics will include whether obesity really is due to "bad behavior"; whether current treatments work; quackery in obesity treatment; steering clear of miracle cures; dietary changes; and drugs available for weight management.

Dhurandhar says while he believes his findings are important, it is much too early to predict when vaccinations or treatments might be available to fight virus-induced obesity. After all, the common cold is caused by viruses, and there is still no cure for it.

"This isn't the answer to a prayer," he says. "There is still a lot of work to be done. What I'm hoping is that others researchers will join in now that we've opened this door."

And although there will be doctors and clinicians at the May 6 symposium, Dhurandhar emphasizes that its doors are open to anyone who wants to learn more about obesity, with presentations geared to a general audience.

For more information on the symposium call (248) 652-5269.