South Korean researchers have discovered technology to block the growth of fatty cells to suppress obesity.

A bioscience professor at Korea University, Kim Yun-gi, says by adjusting the function of certain genes during the fat cells' differentiation process, their formation can be suppressed.

Fat cells store energy but an excessive amount of them are known to cause obesity, high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries and cardiovascular diseases.

The research team predicts the finding can be used in developing new drugs to treat and prevent obesity-related illnesses.

The study is published in the online edition of the journal "Molecular Cell."