The Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity, and Vascular Research (Helmholtz-Institut für Metabolismus-, Adipositas- und Gefäßforschung, HI-MAG) in Leipzig investigates molecular mechanisms linking adipose tissue dysfunction to metabolic and vascular diseases.

We are illucidating the mechanisms of adipose tissue dysfunction, why this is causing metabolic and vascular diseases and we are working on the prevention or reversion of obesity.

Visit the new Adipose Tissue Knowledge Portal - a cooperation between the Karolinska Institutet, the Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen and HI-MAG

To understand the mechanims of vascular diseases especially in the peripheral area and to improve their therapies is the main goal of this research area.

Glucose and insulin molecules in the blood

Metabolic research at HI-MAG encompasses a multidisciplinary approach to investigate the intricate interplay between genetics, hormonal signaling and neural circuits that contribute to the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

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Revaskularisation der Arteria femoralis superficialis

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Our clinical studies are part of our Clinicial Trial Unit and carried out in cooperation with the Leipzig Medical Center. For further information, please click here.

many color bright candies on female tongue

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übergewichtige junge frau trainiert mit hanteln

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Research Female Scientist is using a Microscope and a Tablet Computer while Working in a Modern Laboratory. Doing Genetic and Pharmaceutical Researches.

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Physician and researcher Prof. Antje Körner has been elected as a new member of the Saxon Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Leipzig. On April 10, 2026, she was officially admitted to the Academy’s Mathematical and Natural Sciences Class during…

Posterpreisverleihung AngioDynmaics Life Symposium 2026
Gewinnerin: Birte Winther (links)
rechts: Tim Wittig

Birte Winther, Clinician Scientist at HI-MAG, received the Young Investigator’s Poster Award at the 9th AngioDynamics International LIFE Symposium. As one of three invited finalists, she was awarded the first place for her presentation about the…

Nurse and patient in hospital bed with medical monitors

How can we bring new scientific insights to patients more quickly? At Helmholtz Munich, we work hand in hand with leading clinics across Germany to translate research findings directly and purposefully into new therapeutic approaches — and,…

Center Template, Icon, Featured Publication, Diabetes

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, and lowering blood lipids is a central strategy to reduce risk. Bempedoic acid, a recently approved cholesterol-lowering drug, has now been shown by researchers at Helmholtz Munich to…

Maria Keller mit einer Kollegin im Labor

Dr. habil. Maria Keller, team leader at the Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity, and Vascular Research (HI-MAG), an institute of Helmholtz Munich at the University of Leipzig and University of Leipzig Medical Center, has successfully secured…

A magnified view of the large intestine's surface, showing its muscular wall and fatty tissue

Abdominal fat is not a uniform tissue. A new study from Helmholtz Munich, Karolinska Institutet and Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, published in Cell Metabolism, reveals that fat located close to the large intestine contains an unusually high…

A team of researchers from the Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG), an institute of Helmholtz Munich at the Leipzig University, in collaboration with the University Hospital of Leipzig Medical Center and the…

A research team at Helmholtz Munich has uncovered a previously unknown “cool-down” signal within body fat. Led by PD Dr. John Heiker and Inka Rapöhn from the Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG) at Helmholtz…

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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MA-Foto Konstanze Julich-Gruner_E6A8082_Hintergrund freigestellt

Dr. Konstanze Julich-Gruner

HI-MAG Institute's Manager

Prof. Dr. Antje Körner

Head of Childhood Obesity & Metabolic Research Group

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Prof. Dr. Sabine Steiner

Head of Applied Vascular Research Group

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PD Dr. Dr. John Heiker

Group Leader "Molecular Obesity Research"

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Dr. Alexander Jais

Group Leader "Diet-Induced Metabolic Alterations"

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MA-Foto_Bilal Sheikh_DSCF6803_10.24 - freigestellt

Dr. Bilal Sheikh

Group Leader "Vascular Epigenetics", HI-MAG

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MA-Foto Lucas Massier 01.2025 - freigestellt

Dr. Lucas Massier

Group Leader "Adipose Tissue Microarchitecture and Metabolism"

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Aberle, J. ; Lautenbach, A. ; Meyhöfer, S. ; Menzen, M. ; Selig, L. ; Mai, K. ; Blüher, M. ; Terkamp, C.

Obesity and Diabetes.

Vales-Villamarín, C. ; Berthold, A. ; Lacher, M. ; Körner, A. ; Landgraf, K.

The lipid droplet-associated hydrolase is associated with obesity and adipose tissue inflammation in children.

Rohde-Zimmermann, K. ; Blüher, M.

Can reprogramming taste modulate excess food intake?

Gouëffic, Y. ; Smith, A.B. ; Distler, F. ; Lissina, A. ; Hafermann, J. ; Saunders, R. ; Holden, A. ; Steiner, S.

Performance of stenting in femoropopliteal disease: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of proportions.

McLeod, A. ; Rullmann, M. ; Hinderberger, P. ; Böttcher, Y. ; Müller, I. ; Hankir, M.K. ; Becker, G.A. ; Blüher, M. ; Regenthal, R. ; Hilbert, A. ; Sabri, O. ; Hesse, S.

BDNF Val66Met polymorphism is linked to elevated levels of serotonin-transporter in the medial prefrontal cortex but not to altered eating behavior.

Albert, M. ; Nalir, K. ; Zhong, J. ; Massier, L.

Heterogeneity and clinical relevance of human adipose stromal and progenitor cells.

Möhlis, K. ; Held, J. ; Korenbaum, E. ; Wrenger, S. ; Janciauskiene, S. ; Heiker, J.T.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin-glucocorticoid receptor axis: A new pathway in immune modulation.

Schamarek, I. ; Bautz, A. ; Stumvoll, M. ; Blüher, M. ; Kovacs, P. ; Tönjes, A. ; Rohde-Zimmermann, K.

Trait disinhibition mediates the associations of depressive symptoms and BMI in a non-clinical cohort of lean and individuals with obesity.

Seidemann, L. ; Morgenroth, R. ; Moulla, Y. ; Lange, U.G. ; Lyros, O. ; Blüher, M. ; Petroff, D. ; Prettin, C. ; Köhler, N. ; Dietrich, A.

Effect of RYGB limb lingths on HbA1c in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Krasselt, M. ; Friedrich, K. ; Braune, L. ; Rothe, K. ; Blüher, M. ; Kovacs, P. ; Dietrich, A. ; Rossol, M. ; Stumvoll, M. ; Wagner, U.

Bariatric surgery and subsequent weight loss lead to a reversal of peripheral blood monocytosis in obesity.

European Association for the Study of Diabetes

On This Page

Clinical Obesity Research

Childhood Obesity and Metabolic Research

Applied Vascular Research

Adipose Tissue Microarchitecture and Metabolism

Diet-Induced Metabolic Alterations

Vascular Epigenetics

Molecular Obesity Research

Study on Changes in Taste Buds in Obesity

Energy Balance and Its Influence on Energy Consumption - a Clinical Validation Study

Evaluation of the DOC WEIGHT® 2.3 Program for the Multimodal, Conservative Treatment of Obesity

Study on the Causes and Consequences of Obesity in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults

Study on the Effects of the Hormones Estrogen and Testosterone on Eating Behavior, Metabolism, Sensory Function and the Cardiovascular System

Leipzig Childhood Obesity Study - Severe Forms of Obesity

PeriPrevent Retro

Study on the Long-Term Effects of a Four-Year Obesity Therapy Programm

Leipzig Obesity BioBank

Direct Comparison Between Lithotripsy-Based and Standard Lesion Preparation Using Balloon Angioplasty and Subsequent Supera Stent Implantation in Femoropopliteal Lesions with Severe Calcification

Other clinical studies where HI-MAG scientists are involved

Antje Körner Elected to the Saxon Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Leipzig

Birte Winther received the Young Investigator’s Poster Award at the 9th AngioDynamics International LIFE Symposium

Translation: Where Medical Research Reaches People

Cholesterol-Lowering Drug Found to Target Key Metabolic Switch

Adipose Tissue Under the Microscope: Funding for Two Metabolic Health Projects

Not All Belly Fat Is the Same: Colon-Adjacent Fat Interacts With the Immune System

How Diet and Cold Rewire Brown Fat at the Epigenetic Level

New "Cool-Down" Hormone Found: Vaspin Slows the Body’s Heat-Producing Fat