Institute of Molecular Epidemiology, AME, Environmental Health Center, Helmholtz Munich

analysis of the virus genome concept

The Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology (AME) analyses population-based cohorts and case studies for specific diseases, using genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and functional analyses. The aim of this research unit is to decipher the molecular mechanisms of complex diseases like type 2 diabetes or obesity. The unit administers the biological specimen repository of the Department of Epidemiology and stores the samples for national and international projects.

The Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology (AME) analyses population-based cohorts and case studies for specific diseases, using genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and functional analyses. The aim of this research unit is to decipher the molecular mechanisms of complex diseases like type 2 diabetes or obesity. The unit administers the biological specimen repository of the Department of Epidemiology and stores the samples for national and international projects.

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Molecular Epidemiology

The main objective is to decipher the molecular causes and mechanisms of complex diseases like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, atopic eczema, lung cancer, or obesity.

analysis of the virus genome concept

Genome Analysis Center

The Research Unit is located in the Genome Analysis Center of Helmholtz Munich where methods and systems for genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and functional analyses have been established.

Medical Icons on screen

Cohorts

We apply these methods on our population based children and adult cohorts (KORA, GINIplus, LISA) as well as on case populations of interest.

Biological Specimen Repository

Additionally the Biological Specimen Repository of the Department of Epidemiology including DNA, RNA, serum, plasma, urine, and immortalized cell lines is administered by our unit. Moreover we are responsible for sample preparation and sample storage of the German National Cohort participants.

diagnosis with medical application

hand of scientist with test tube and flask in medical chemistry lab white banner background.

Dr. Bettina Lorenz-Depiereux

The working group deals with topics regarding biobanking, ELSI questions and biodata management as basis for molecular epidemiology.

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Molecular Diagnostics

Dr. Melanie Waldenberger

The working group aims to decipher the molecular underpinnings of complex traits and the effect of environment and lifestyle on (epi-)genomic regulation.

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Medicine doctor touching electronic medical record on tablet. DNA

Dr. Harald Grallert

The working group aims to elucidate molecular mechanisms of metabolic diseases, using this information to refine subtype definitions for precision medicine.

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Awards & Grants, EPI, September 23, 2022

Helmholtz Munich has been participating in the DigiMed Bayern project of the Bavarian State Ministry of Health and Care (STMGP) since the end of 2018. The goal of the project is to advance digitized medicine in Bavaria. The project has now been…

Porträt Christian_Gieger

Dr. Christian Gieger

Head of Research Unit 'Molecular Epidemiology', Scientist

Porträt Melanie Waldenberger

Dr. Melanie Waldenberger

Head of Research Group 'Complex Diseases', Senior Scientist View profile

Porträt Harald Grallert

Dr. Harald Grallert

Head of Research Group 'Diabetes and Related Traits', Scientist View profile

Portrait Bettina Lorenz Depiereux (jpg)

Dr. Bettina Lorenz-Depiereux

Head of Research Group 'Biobanking, Data and ELSI', Senior Scientist View profile

Porträt Natascha Strauß

Natascha Strauss

Secretary

Porträt Pamela Matias Garcia

Pamela Matias Garcia

Deputy Head of Research Group 'Complex Diseases', Postdoc

Porträt Stephanie Mach-Kolb

Stephanie Mach

Science Manager

Porträt Monica Gomez

Monica del Carmen Gomez Alonso

Postdoc

Porträt Hans Demski

Hans Demski

IT and Data Manager

Porträt Qiuling Dong

Qiuling Dong

PhD Student

Porträt Jiefei Niu

Jiefei Niu

PhD Student

Porträt Sapna Sharma

Dr. Sapna Sharma

Senior Scientist

Porträt Nadine Lindemann

Nadine Lindemann

Technician

Porträt Monika Kraus

Dr. Monika Kraus

Senior Scientist, Deputy Head of Research Group "Biobanking, Data and ELSI"

Dr. Therese Feiler

Dr. Therese Feiler

Scientist

Porträt Julia Groth

Dr. Julia Groth

Senior Scientist, Project Manager

Porträt Liye Lai

Liye Lai

PhD Student

Porträt Marketa Rynesova

Markéta Fuchs (née Rynesova)

PhD Student

Dr. Thomas Delerue

Dr. Thomas Delerue

Postdoc

Claudia Corsten

Claudia Corsten

TA

Andreas Schmidt

Andreas Schmidt

Guest PhD Student

Porträt Homa Bazireh

Homa Bazireh

PhD Student

Porträt Esienanwan Efiong

Dr. Esienanwan Efiong

Postdoc

Porträt Elke Rodriguez

Dr. Elke Rodriguez

Senior Scientist

Aiman Farzeen

Aiman Farzeen

PhD Student

Porträt Chisom Soremekun

Chisom Soremekun

Visiting PhD Student

Porträt Jonathan Adam

Jonathan Adam

Scientist

Porträt Bärbel Fösel

Dr. Bärbel Fösel

Senior Scientist, Project Manager

Manuela Scheuner

Manuela Scheuner

Scientist, Project Manager / Quality Management (QMB)

Kathrin Hill

Kathrin Hill

Technician

Sylwia Pietrasik

Sylwia Pietrasik

TA

HIntergrund_EPI - LinkedIn HighlightEpigenetics

Aloysious Alonso Lubega

IT and Data Manager

Dr. Sonja Kunze

Dr. Sonja Kunze

Senior Scientist, Project Manager

Lilia Lang

Lilia Lang

Documentalist

Marc Müller

Marc Müller

Project Manager

Porträt Ganling Ding

Ganling Ding

PhD Student

Ewelina Parchanska

Ewelina Parchanska

Scientist, Project Manager

Hakan Kantar

Hakan Kantar

Technician

Ellen Sargsyan

Ellen Sargsyan

Vanessa Nalewaja

Vanessa Nalewaja

2025 Diabetes Obes Metab

Niu J, Adam J, Skurk T, Seissler J, Dong Q, Efiong E, Gieger C, Peters A, Sharma S, Grallert H.

Machine learning approach on plasma proteomics identifies signatures associated with obesity in the KORA FF4 cohort

2025 Cardiovasc Diabetol

Lai L, Juntilla DL, Del M, [...], Peters A, Waldenberger M.

Longitudinal association between DNA methylation and type 2 diabetes: findings from the KORA F4/FF4 study

2024 Diabetologia

Sharma S, Dong Q, Haid M, Adam J, [...], Adamski J, Pearson ER, Grallert H.

Role of human plasma metabolites in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes from the IMI-DIRECT study

Suzuki K, Hatzikotoulas K, Southam L, [...], Grallert H, Cheng CY, Ghanbari M, [...], Voight BF, Morris AP, Zeggini E.

Genetic drivers of heterogeneity in type 2 diabetes pathophysiology

Devaux Y, Zhang L, Lumley AI, [...], Lorenz-Depiereux B et al.

Development of a long noncoding RNA-based machine learning model to predict COVID-19 in-hospital mortality

Lagou V, Jiang L, Ulrich A, […], Gieger C, Grallert H, Meisinger C, […], Kaakinen MA, Jones B, Prokopenko I; Meta-Analysis of Glucose and Insulin-Related Traits Consortium (MAGIC).

GWAS of random glucose in 476,326 individuals provide insights into diabetes pathophysiology, complications and treatment stratification

Steinbeis F, Thibeault C, Steinbrecher S, [...], Lorenz-Depiereux B et al.

Analysis of acute COVID-19 including chronic morbidity: protocol for the deep phenotyping National Pandemic Cohort Network in Germany (NAPKON-HAP)

Bellenguez C, Küçükali F, Jansen IE et al.

New insights into the genetic etiology of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias

2022 Nat Commun

Moitinho-Silva L, Degenhardt F, Rodriguez E, [...], Gieger C, Peters A et al.

Host genetic factors related to innate immunity, environmental sensing and cellular functions are associated with human skin microbiota

Yengo L, Vedantam S, Marouli E, Sidorenko J, [...], Gao Z, Gieger C, Grallert H, Peters A et al.

A saturated map of common genetic variants associated with human height

A row of human blood samples in a medical laboratory ready to be tested. healthcare background 3D illustration.

The Helmholtz Munich Biobank with its worldwide unique and valuable collection of human biosamples is a major resource for researchers working in the fields of prevention, diagnosis and therapy of complex diseases.

We currently store over 1 million biosamples from more than 50,000 people from population-based and clinical studies in a quality-controlled manner.

NAKO - German National Cohort

KORA - Cooperative Health Research in the Augsburg Region

DZIF – German Center for Infection Research

DZHK – German Center for Cardiovascular Diseases

DZD – German Center for Diabetes Research

DZL – German Center for Lung Research

DZPG - German Center for Mental Health

GBN/GBA - German Biobank Node/German Biobank Alliance

JBM – Joint Biobank Munich

NUM - Network University Medicine

BBMRI-ERIC - European research infrastructure for biobanking

NAPKON - National Pandemic Cohorts Network