Diabetes has reached alarming proportions worldwide, and the need for new therapies is great. Exercise and bariatric surgery are known to elicit profound metabolic benefits in type 2 diabetes, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The possibility of altering metabolism through RNA-based therapies is also intriguing. This conference will bring together a diverse array of scientists from academia and industry, thereby facilitating knowledge exchange and interactions, leading to elucidation of better treatments. Joint sessions with the simultaneous conference on “Obesity and Adipose Tissue Biology” will create opportunities for synergies. Specifically, the conference will examine recent advances in understanding of brown/beige adipose tissue function; endocrine, paracrine and nutrient signaling; molecular mechanisms of metabolic signaling; emerging topics, including long noncoding RNA and the influence of the gut microbiome; and new approaches to drug development for treating diabetes and obesity.