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Temperature is a key regulator of brown adipose tissue (BAT) function, acting through central sensory inputs to influence metabolism and energy storage. Although animal models have produced a wealth of information on the pathways, effectors and responses mediating the physiological response of adipose tissue to temperature in vivo, the use of cell culture models now offers evidence of an additional cell-autonomous response to temperature changes, in the absence of neural input. In particular, stem cell models provide new insight into the regulation of adipogenic differentiation and the induction of browning features in vitro. Here the basis for adipogenic responsiveness to low temperature is discussed, together with different human cell models available to outline the benefits of cell-based approaches for future BAT research.