Helmholtz Diabetes Center

A new study, led by Prof. Eleftheria Zeggini, Director of the Institute of Translational Genomics at Helmholtz Munich, and Prof. Anette-Gabriele Ziegler, Director of the Institute of Diabetes Research at Helmholtz Munich, has revealed a significant…

Scientists from the German Mouse Clinic at the Institute of Experimental Genetics (Helmholtz Munich) have studied the effects of a missing gene, Ten1, on aging. By generating a mouse model with Ten1 deficiency, researchers observed that without this…

A new study has identified KLK7, a protein found in immune cells, as a key driver of obesity-related inflammation and metabolic disorders. Led by PD Dr. John Heiker and Dr. Aleix Ribas-Latre from the Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and…

A study led by researchers from Helmholtz Munich and the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) unveils a key communication pathway between the immune system and metabolism in the hypothalamic region of the brain. By identifying the role of…

A research team led by Prof. Henrik Semb, Director of the Institute of Translational Stem Cell Research at Helmholtz Munich, has gained new insights into how immature pancreatic cells decide whether to become insulin-producing beta cells or…

In line with World Obesity Day, the Helmholtz Munich information portal diabinfo.de now provides comprehensive new information on obesity. In addition to content on the prevalence, risk factors, causes, and diagnosis of obesity, the portal also…

Helmholtz Munich has successfully secured funding from the third DZG innovation fund for "Inter-Organ Metabolomics". Led by Dr. Maria Rohm, an interdisciplinary research team will explore how metabolic byproducts in individuals with severe diseases…

Study shows: The brain plays a central role in the development of obesity.

The number of obese persons has grown significantly in recent decades, which presents significant difficulties for those who are impacted, healthcare systems, and those who…

Helmholtz Munich is partnering with Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) in Barcelona, Spain, on a research project aimed at advancing treatments for type 1 diabetes (T1D). Sponsored by the la Caixa Foundation with nearly one million Euros in funding, the…

A new platform, Adiposetissue.org, is set to enhance obesity and metabolism research by centralizing and simplifying access to adipose tissue data. Developed by researchers from Helmholtz Munich, Karolinska Institutet and Steno Diabetes Center…

A recent study reveals that age plays a significant role in the outcomes of intermittent fasting. Researchers from Helmholtz Munich, the Technical University of Munich (TUM), and LMU Hospital Munich discovered that chronic intermittent fasting…

Professors Stephan Herzig and Alexander Bartelt take a closer look at chronic intermittent fasting: What role does age play, and how do targeted fasting periods impact the long-term maturation and function of β-cells?

This year, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Matthias H. Tschöp, CEO of Helmholtz Munich, and Prof. Dr. Stefanie Dehnen, a chemist at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), have been awarded the prestigious Hector Science Prize, each receiving €150,000.

Thanks to a new technology called Moscot (“Multi-Omics Single-Cell Optimal Transport”), researchers can now observe millions of cells simultaneously as they develop into a new organ—for example, a pancreas. This groundbreaking method was developed by…

A new report of the Commission on Clinical Obesity, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology and endorsed by over 75 medical organizations, has introduced a transformative framework that addresses the limitations of traditional BMI-based…

The clinical onset of type 1 diabetes is preceded by presymptomatic stages, that are marked by the presence of two or more islet autoantibodies. Stage 1 is characterized by normal blood glucose levels, while stage 2 is marked by dysglycemia. However,…

In 2021, a research team led by Prof. Heiko Lickert from Helmholtz Munich discovered the insulin-inhibitory receptor "Inceptor" and its role as a suppressor of the insulin signaling pathway. Now, the researchers have unlocked another, even more…

Almost nine million people are living with type 1 diabetes worldwide. Although this disease can be a life-threatening, it often goes unnoticed and is diagnosed too late. Yet type 1 diabetes can be diagnosed early, long before symptoms appear, by a…

Malfunctions of tiny cell extensions (primary cilia*) in the beta cells of the pancreas may be a cause of type 2 diabetes. Little is known about the structure and function of these cilia. An international research team led by scientists from the Paul…

On October 22, science and culture converged in an exciting collaboration between Helmholtz Munich and the Bergson Kunstkraftwerk. At the inaugural event of the three-part Bergson Academy series, experts from Helmholtz Munich, along with a patient,…

The Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge, a partnership between the Steve Morgan Foundation, Diabetes UK, and Breakthrough T1D, formerly JDRF, has announced funding for a cutting-edge research project led by researchers at Helmholtz Munich and the…

Dr Maria Keller, project leader at the Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG) of Helmholtz Munich in Leipzig, has been awarded this year's research prize of the German Obesity Society (DAG) for her work in the field…

Every year on October 3rd, the German broadcaster WDR organizes the event "Doors Open with The Mouse." This year, 770 companies and research institutions across Germany participated, welcoming children and parents under the theme "Working Together."…

The German Research Foundation (DFG) has awarded nearly five million euros to fund a four-year research project on metabolic health, led by the Technical University of Munich (TUM) with significant involvement from Helmholtz Munich. Researchers from…

Prof. Anette-Gabriele Ziegler, Director of the Helmholtz Munich Institute for Diabetes Research, was awarded the 2024 Rachmiel Levine Medal by City of Hope - a prominent biomedical research and treatment institution in the United States, especially…

The 11th Helmholtz Diabetes Conference, held from September 23 to 25, 2024, in Munich, gathered leading international experts to discuss advancements in diabetes and metabolic research. Hosted by Stephan Herzig, Maria Rohm, and Mauricio Berriel Diaz…

Experts from the Helmholtz Munich-led Fr1daPlex initiative, the Bavarian Professional Association of Pediatricians (BVKJ), and PaedNetz Bayern e.V. have published a new position paper providing a detailed evaluation of an islet autoantibody screening…

Dr. Bilal Sheikh, group leader of the Young Investigator’s group “Vascular Epigenetics” at the Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research, has been selected as a Henriette-Herz Scout by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.…

People with prediabetes are advised to reduce their weight in order to prevent manifest diabetes. Researchers from the Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of Helmholtz Munich at the University of Tübingen, a partner in the German…

The diagnosis of type 1 diabetes often comes with serious complications for families, as the autoimmune disease is frequently detected only after severe symptoms develop. Early detection of type 1 diabetes through population-wide screening offers…

A recent study conducted by Helmholtz Munich and the German Center for Diabetes Research provides new insights into how fathers' diets and overweight can affect their children's health even before conception. The findings of the study can help…

Prof. Anette-Gabriele Ziegler about her contribution to novel therapies for type 1 diabetes.

Every year, the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) honors young researchers at the beginning of their careers with a DZD Award. This internal award recognizes outstanding scientific achievements in applied or clinical research presented at…

During the 2nd Helmholtz Munich Expert Hour on April 10, 2024, representatives from politics and science gathered once again to discuss pressing health issues and stay informed about the latest developments in research. The topic "When will diabetes…

Prof. Stephan Herzig explains why intermittent fasting with conscious breaks of eating helps to bring the metabolism into harmony with the body's internal rhythm and thus improve health and prevent diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases,…

Recent research underscores the critical role of adipocytes in storing fat, vital for organismal survival. Dysfunctional adipocytes can lead to metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease, highlighting the importance of…

Research targeting the insulin-inhibitory receptor, called inceptor, unveils promising avenues for beta cell protection, offering hope for causal diabetes therapy. A novel study in mice with diet-induced obesity demonstrates that the knock-out of…

The genetic information in our cells harbors secrets about the risks, progression, and complications of many diseases. With hundreds of millions of patients worldwide, identifying and understanding genetic risk for type 2 diabetes is of particular…

Dr. Siegfrid Ussar, Head of the new research unit “Adipocytes & Metabolism” at Helmholtz Munich, is researching ways to decouple obesity and its metabolic complications. This is particularly important given the significant health problems caused by…

Sex-Specific Research

A recent discovery led by Helmholtz Munich researchers from the Type 1 Diabetes Immunology Research Unit has uncovered how regulatory immune T-cells (called Tregs) interplay and control metabolic tissues. The new findings published in Cell…

Our organs do a remarkable job day in and day out, without ourselves even having to think about it. Our body has its own ventilation system, a clearance system for toxins, and a system to balance energy homeostasis. But what if one of these systems…

Pediatricians and computer scientists join forces at the Helmholtz Munich Institute for Diabetes Research to identify children with type 1 diabetes before they develop symptoms. With the help of advanced statistics and machine learning, the…

The increasing amount of patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes benefit greatly from the recently developed GIPR:GLP-1R co-agonists. These novel compounds lead to substantial weight loss, offering a revolutionary approach to patients worldwide.…

Heinrich Wieland Prize for Matthias Tschöp: Breakthrough in the battle against obesity and diabetes

Prof. Matthias Tschöp explains why multi-receptor drugs are game changers in treating obesity and preventing diabetes effectively and safely – and why they are not a “miracle treatment” for a dream body. This year, he received the Banting Medal for…

Diabetes researcher Dr. Timo Müller was honored with the 58th Minkowski Prize awarded by the EASD for his distinction manifested by publications that contribute to the advancement of knowledge concerning diabetes.

The 10th Helmholtz Diabetes Conference was a great success. From the 27th till the 29th of September about 200 diabetes experts from all over the world gathered in Munich to exchange ideas and new research findings in the field of type 1 and type 2…

Prof. Stephan Herzig has been awarded the 38th Camillo Golgi Prize for his outstanding contributions to the histopathology, pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment of the complications of diabetes. The prize is delivered by the European Association…

Prediabetes is a precursor to type 2 diabetes with an increased risk of heart attacks, kidney and eye diseases, and various types of cancer. In Germany, there is no approved medication for prediabetes. Scientists from the German Center for Diabetes…

A collaborative endeavor between computer scientists and diabetes researchers at Helmholtz Munich has yielded novel insights into the mechanisms underlying type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This collaboration has resulted in the creation of the first mouse…

Helmholtz Munich researchers receive 2.25 Mio US Dollar JDRF Grant 

With a 2.25 million US dollar grant provided by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Prof. Matthias Hebrok, Prof. Heiko Lickert, and Prof. Carolin Daniel from the…

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…

For major breakthroughs, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) awards its highest honor, the Banting Medal for Scientific Achievement named after the nobel laureate and discoverer of insulin, Frederick Banting. Helmholtz Munich CEO and Humboldt…

The national diabetes information portal diabinfo.de provided by Helmholtz Munich, the German Diabetes Center (DDZ) and the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) now offers a large number of its services in the areas of "Preventing Diabetes" and…

With this new campaign, scientists want to raise awareness for early detection and prevention of type 1 diabetes in children.

Timo Müller and his team have been working for many years on the development of new therapeutic options for diabetes and obesity. Among other things, they decoded a brain receptor that plays a crucial role in the regulation of body weight and food…

Researchers at Helmholtz Munich are working toward a world without diabetes. They are not doing so alone, but with a network of organizations, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies. Their goal is to use experts’ knowledge to create something new:…

At Helmholtz Munich, scientists are working to ensure that no child will have to suffer from the autoimmune disease type 1 diabetes in the future.

A team of researchers from Helmholtz Munich, the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) and Novo Nordisk have developed a new hormone combination for the future treatment of type 2 diabetes. The scientists have combined the blood sugar-reducing…

Prof. Dr. Anette-Gabriele Ziegler, Director of the Helmholtz Munich Institute of Diabetes Research (IDF) receives this year’s EASD–Novo Nordisk Foundation Diabetes Prize for Excellence. The prize is awarded to honor outstanding contributions to the…

Helmholtz Munich scientist Stephanie Kullmann is awarded this year's Ferdinand Bertram Award of the German Diabetes Society (DDG). With this award, the DDG honors her research on the role of central nervous processes in the prevention and treatment…

For his outstanding achievements in the research field “Diabetes and Cancer”, the German Diabetes Society (DDG) awards this year's Werner Creutzfeldt Prize to Helmholtz Munich scientist Stephan Herzig.

Two newly acquired ERC Advanced Grants support the cutting-edge research of Munich Helmholtz scientists Heiko Lickert and Fabian Theis. The researchers are international stars in the fields of diabetes and artificial intelligence. The funding will…

Helmholtz Munich obtains two ERC Consolidator Grants: Timo Müller from the Institute for Diabetes and Obesity with "TRUSTED", and Ben Engel, formerly of the Helmholtz Pioneer Campus, with "cryOcean". They are among the successful 12 percent to…

The Corona pandemic showed us clearly that to be able to find, understand and evaluate good health information is an important prerequisite for protecting ourselves from fake news. It is therefore important to begin by strengthening the health…

It only takes a blood test to detect the autoimmune disease type 1 diabetes in children at an early stage and, thus, prevent severe metabolic derailments. Helmholtz Munich offers the world's largest population-based screening for type 1 diabetes in…

Obesity, diabetes and gastrointestinal cancer are frequently linked to an unhealthy diet. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for this are not fully understood. Researchers at Helmholtz Munich have gained some new insights that help to…

Just in time for World Diabetes Day, the national diabetes information portal www.diabinfo.de has announced that it has expanded its content offering. In addition to German and Turkish, information for people with diabetes and diabetes prevention is…

Researchers revealed how non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can develop into a life-threatening complication. Their discovery will accelerate the search for therapeutic solutions. The study was led by Helmholtz Zentrum München in collaboration with…

Researchers have succeeded for the first time in demonstrating the role of hypothalamic astrocytes in obesity-related hypertension. In addition, they showed that the hormone leptin is involved in the increase of blood vessels in the hypothalamus of…

Exercise causes the body to release hundreds of different signals that improve our health in many different ways. Now scientists have mapped these intrinsic signals and how they are released by different organs in mice following exercise at different…

Not all prediabetes is the same: In people in the preliminary stages of type 2 diabetes, there are six clearly distinguishable subtypes, which differ in the development of the disease, diabetes risk, and the development of secondary diseases. The…