Helmholtz Diabetes Center

Our research at the Helmholtz Diabetes Center (HDC) aims to understand the molecular bases underlying all forms of diabetes, its heterogeneity, and risk factors, including obesity, as well as its complications and comorbidities. We combine world-leading basic research with clinical intervention and cohort studies to develop tomorrow’s diabetes precision medicine. 

Our research at the Helmholtz Diabetes Center (HDC) aims to understand the molecular bases underlying all forms of diabetes, its heterogeneity and risk factors, including obesity, as well as its complications and comorbidities. We combine world-leading basic research with clinical intervention and cohort studies to develop tomorrow’s diabetes precision medicine.

Illustration of human fat cells

Our Research Areas

Molecular model of insulin molecule, 3D illustration

Diabetes and its Risk Factors

We identify risk factors for diabetes in children and adults and its complications. Our world-class basic research enables us to define new biomarker for its development and progression and therapeutic targets.

Institut für Diabetesforschung Studienzentrum

Prevention and Personalized Therapies

We are leading in early detection and prevention of type 1 and type 2 diabetes as well as development of innovative personalized therapies to combat diabetes and obesity.

3d rendering of Human cell or Embryonic stem cell microscope background.

Regenerative Therapies for Diabetes and its Complications

We develop new venues for cell-based therapies, to reestablish a health metabolic function. We jointly work to identify the molecular basis of diabetes complications and means for their remission.

Our Research Highlights

Our Scientists at the Helmholtz Diabetes Center

freigestelltes Porträtbild für Kontakte auf der Website
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Martin Hrabě De Angelis

Member and Spokesperson of the Executive Board (acting), Research Director Helmholtz Munich, Full Professor and Chair of Experimental Genetics Technical University Munich, Director of the Institute of Experimental Genetics Helmholtz Munich

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Stephan Herzig Porträt freigestellt
Prof. Dr. Stephan Herzig

Research Director Helmholtz Munich, Head of Diabetes Department and Head of Research Unit "Diabetes and Complications"

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Prof. Dr. Heiko Lickert_freigestellt
Prof. Dr. Heiko Lickert

Director, Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research, IDR

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[Translate to German:]
Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Anette-Gabriele Ziegler

Institute Director, Chair of Diabetes and Gestational Diabetes, Klinikum rechts der Isar and Technical University of Munich, Director of the Global Platform for the Prevention of Autoimmune Diabetes (GPPAD)

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Professor Timo Müller
Prof. Dr. Timo Müller

Institute Director, Head of Research Unit Molecular Pharmacology, IDO

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Michele_Solimena_2000x2000_MunichPurple
Prof. Dr. Michele Solimena

Director of the Institute for Pancreatic Islet Research, IPI

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Prof. Semb_freigestellt
Prof. Dr. Tor Henrik Semb

Director, Institute of Translational Stem Cell Research, ITS

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PI-/MA-Bilder Matthias Blüher_EH6A7638_Hintergrund freigestellt
Prof. Dr. Matthias Blüher

Director of the Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research and Head of Research Group Clinical Obesity Research, HI-MAG

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Henriette Uhlenhaut Porträt freigestellt
Prof. Dr. Nina Henriette Uhlenhaut

Director of the Institute for Diabetes and Endocriology, IDE

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Prof. Paul Pfluger
Prof. Dr. Paul Pfluger

Head of Research Unit NeuroBiology of Diabetes, NBD

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Prof. Dr. Andreas Birkenfeld

Director of the Institute of Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases (IDM) Helmholtz Munich at the University Hospital Tübingen

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Matthias Hebrock_freigestellt
Prof. Dr. Matthias Hebrok

Director, Institute for Diabetes and Organoid Technology, IDOT

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Siegfried Ussar Porträt freigestellt
Dr. Siegfried Ussar

Director of Research Unit Adipocytes and Metabolism, ADM

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Carolin_Daniel_freigestellt
Prof. Carolin Daniel

Director of the Institute for Metabolism and Immunology, IMI

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Banner 13. Diabetes Konferenz für Homepage der Konferenz

13th Helmholtz Diabetes Conference

The 13th Helmholtz Diabetes Conference will be hosted by Stephan Herzig and co-organized by Antje Körner and Raffaele Teperino. This year, a special focus will be put on "Diabetes Across The Lifespan".

To the conference website

Abstract Biomedical Symphony

We Fight Diabetes!

Thanks to basic research, groundbreaking innovations against obesity as well as in the field of diabetes prevention and therapy are emerging at Helmholtz Munich.

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Our News

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A daily routine for children with type 1 diabetes: monitoring blood glucose.

New Research Findings, Diabetes, IDF,

From the Lab to the Patient: Four Clinical Trials on Type 1 Diabetes

Research fully realizes its value where it reaches people – when findings translate into new treatment options from which those affected can benefit. How this can be achieved in practice for type 1 diabetes is demonstrated by the Institute of…

Marie Curie Statue

Awards & Grants, Diabetes, IDOT, Stem Cells,

Two MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships Awarded to Researchers at Helmholtz Munich

Dr. Robert Frömel and Dr. Hossam Montaser have been awarded Marie Skłodowska Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships. Over a period of two years, the EU funded fellowships will support their independent research projects on gene regulation in brain…

Cover of the Pixi book from Carlsen, which describes type 1 diabetes.

Public Engagement, Diabetes,

Pixi Wissen Book: Type 1 Diabetes at School

The new Pixi Wissen book, “Finn and the Sleepover – Type 1 Diabetes at School”, demonstrates how research can be translated into practical resources for everyday life. Together with partners, Helmholtz Munich has developed a scientifically grounded,…

Portrait of Prof. Heiko Lickert

Awards & Grants, Diabetes, IDR,

Heiko Lickert Receives ERC Proof of Concept Grant for Diabetes Research

Prof. Heiko Lickert has been awarded an ERC Proof of Concept (PoC) Grant from the European Research Council (ERC). The funding is intended to advance a novel regenerative therapeutic approach for type 2 diabetes from basic research into clinical…

Antje Körner Portait standing in nature

Awards & Grants, Diabetes, HI-MAG,

Antje Körner Receives Prestigious International Award for Research on Childhood Obesity

A major international distinction for Leipzig-based obesity research: Prof. Antje Körner has been awarded the Willendorf Award by the World Obesity Federation.

Protein folding structure

New Research Findings, Diabetes, IDO,

FGF21 Helps Cells Cope with Protein Folding Stress

FGF21 is primarily known as a metabolic hormone. A new study by researchers at Helmholtz Munich and the Ludwig Maximilians University has now described a previously unknown mechanism through which FGF21 supports cells under protein folding stress:…

Selected Publications

Loft A, Schmidt SF, Caratti G, Stifel U, Havelund J, Sekar R, Kwon Y, Sulaj A, Chow KK, Alfaro AJ, Schwarzmayr T, Rittig N, Svart M, Tsokanos FF, Maida A, Blutke A, Feuchtinger A, Møller N, Blüher M, Nawroth P, Szendrödi J, Færgeman NJ, Zeigerer A, Tuckermann J, Herzig S.

A macrophage-hepatocyte glucocorticoid receptor axis coordinates fasting ketogenesis.

Karlina R, Flexeder C, Stephanie M, Bhattacharyya M, Schneider E, Altun I, Gschwendtner S, Neumann AU, Nano J, Schloter M, Peters A, Schulz H, Schmidt-Weber CB, Standl M, Traidl-Hoffmann C, Alessandrini F, Ussar S.

Differential effects of lung inflammation on insulin resistance in humans and mice.

Xu CS, Pang S, Shtengel G, Müller A, Ritter AT, Hoffman HK, Takemura SY, Lu Z, Pasolli HA, Iyer N, Chung J, Bennett D, Weigel AV, Freeman M, van Engelenburg SB, Walther TC, Farese RV Jr, Lippincott-Schwartz J, Mellman I, Solimena M, Hess HF.

An open-access volume electron microscopy atlas of whole cells and tissues.

Research School for Diabetes

At the International Helmholtz Research School for Diabetes PhD students engage in international and innovative research projects that enable new approaches encompassing molecular research and translational application.

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Networks and Affiliations

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Helmholtz Munich
Research School for diabetes
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IHRS for Diabetes

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Contact Director of Operations

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Dr. Tobias Schafmeier

Director of Operations, Helmholtz Diabetes Center

Contact Coordinator

Anne Caniard_freigestellt
Dr. Anne Caniard

Coordinator HDC, Helmholtz Diabetes Center

Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764 Neuherberg

Building / Room: 3620, 315b