Helmholtz Munich

Our mission is to understand the protective and harmful effects of the environment, genes and lifestyle on human health and disease using population-based epidemiology approaches. Knowledge of these interactions leads to novel targeted prevention and intervention approaches for cardiometabolic diseases and allergies.

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Epidemiology

We focus on diabetes, allergy and cardiovascular diseases as well as lung diseases and mental health. We contribute to the German Centers of Disease Research (DZD, DZL, DZHK, DZIF) and many national, european and international consortia.

Molecular Epidemiology

We perform functional genomics, epigenomics and systemic phenotyping with the associated Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology lead by Dr. Christian Gieger.

Environmental Insults

We research the health impacts of ambient air pollution and promote public awareness for mitigating environmental exposures and improving health.

Cohorts

Our research builds on the population-based adult cohort KORA with its biobank facility and aerosol measurement station, the German National Cohort and the two birth cohorts GINIplus/ LISA.

Dr. Alexandra Schneider

The working group Environmental Risks investigates the short- and long-term adverse and beneficial health impacts of environmental factors, such as air pollution, meteorology, climate change, noise and green space in urban areas with a focus on cardiometabolic diseases in adults.

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human body in center of Genomics and DNA

Prof. Dr. Annette Peters

The primary mission of exposomics research is to understand the complex interplay between environmental exposures and disease development via molecular markers and imaging.

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Woman using glucometer on blue background, top view

Prof. Dr. Barbara Thorand

The focus of Diabetes Epidemiology is the identification of determinants for type 2 diabetes and other major chronic diseases related to type 2 diabetes, such as coronary heart disease and stroke, and to investigate their interrelationship.

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Asthma inhalers on table against blurred background. Space for text

Dr. Marie Standl

The research group Allergic Disease Epidemiology aims to investigate environmental and life style factors, genetic markers and metabolic processes for the onset and progression of allergic diseases.

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Green leaves shaped in human lungs. Conceptual image

Dr. Josef Cyrys

The primary aim of Environmental Exposure Assessment is the development and employment of exposure assessment methods for applying in epidemiological studies on health effects of air pollutants.

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3d rendered medically accurate illustration of the bronchi

Dr. Marie Standl

The research group Lung Epidemiology examines genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors of lung function during development, growth, and age-related decline.

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Dr. Christian Gieger

Molecular Epidemiology

The Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology 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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Hot weather. Thermometer in front of an urban scene during heatwave.

Public Engagement, In Media, Environmental Health, EPI, IEM, November 15, 2023

The consequences of climate change are far-reaching and profound. Extreme weather events, such as heat waves and droughts pose a severe threat to human lives and health.

Transfer, Environmental Health, EPI, October 05, 2023

Our health and the environment around us are profoundly intertwined. But how do air pollution and other environmental factors interact with each other and determine our health for each individual and the neighborhood? Furthermore, how can artificial…

Public Engagement, Diabetes, EPI, July 06, 2023

The increase in heat periods as a result of climate change can be more critical for people with diabetes than for metabolically healthy people. This is especially true at older ages. The article "Heat and diabetes" from diabinfo.de deals with helpful…

Featured Publication, EPI, June 30, 2023

Over the past decades, epidemiological studies have clearly demonstrated the effects of air pollution on health. There are now explicit recommendations from the World Health Organization regarding guidelines for particulate matter, especially PM2.5…

New Research Findings, Environmental Health, EPI, May 15, 2023

A new study conducted by Helmholtz Munich researchers reveals that ultrafine particles, representing the smallest size fraction of particulate air pollution, might be more dangerous to human health than larger particles. These findings add to the…

Environmental Health, EPI, March 10, 2023

ISEE2026 is coming to Munich!

Awards & Grants, EPI, ICB, January 24, 2023

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has challenged public health worldwide. The European project ORCHESTRA - Connecting European Cohorts to Increase Common and Effective Response to SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic - was launched in December 2020 to unite European knowledge…

Klimawandel, industrielle Verschmutzung, Natur

New Research Findings, EPI, IEM, November 03, 2022

„Everyone’s health is at the mercy of fossil fuels” is the central finding of this year’s Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change report. In this report, which was released on October 26^th 2022, experts warn of health consequences of the…

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…

New Research Findings, Environmental Health, EPI, August 01, 2022

On days with high temperatures, people taking certain medications have an increased risk of heart attack: this was found by a team of researchers led by Alexandra Schneider, PhD, research group leader 'Environmental Risks' at the Helmholtz Munich…

Rain forest fire disaster is burning caused by humans

Featured Publication, EPI, October 21, 2021

Germany is not sufficiently prepared for the health challenges posed by climate change. Despite a growing awareness among political leaders for the urgency of the situation, concrete measures to avoid climate-related health risks and to combat…

New Research Findings, EPI, September 09, 2021

Prolonged exposure to air pollution can be linked to an increased risk of stroke and coronary heart disease, even when levels are below the limits specified by the EU and WHO. This has been shown, among others, by researchers and Helmholtz Zentrum…

The climate is changing, followed by drought, crop failures and poverty.

Public Engagement, EPI, December 03, 2020

The new Lancet Countdown shows that with a changing climate health risks are increasing globally. The Institute of Epidemiology at Helmholtz Zentrum München together with partners proposed policy recommendations in the Lancet Countdown Policy Brief…

Awards & Grants, IDC, EPI, ICB, Pioneer Campus, September 03, 2020

Helmholtz Zentrum München is awarded four ERC Starting Grants in the latest funding round of the European Research Council (ERC). All shortlisted projects submitted by early career researchers were successful, marking a novel record for the center.…