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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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.

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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…

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Dr. Eric Wenzel, Clinician Scientist at the Leipzig University and the Helmholtz Institute for Metabolism, Obesity, and Vascular Research (HI-MAG) of Helmholtz Munich and the Medical Faculty of Leipzig University, has been awarded the Jürgen-Bierich…

A research team at the Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG), an institute from Helmholtz Munich at the University of Leipzig and the University of Leipzig Medical Center, has identified that microRNAs derived from…

A new European research initiative, CarePath, has launched with the goal of helping people with long-term health conditions manage their treatment more effectively and comfortably. By offering personalized tools and support, the project aims to…

The medical treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes is currently undergoing a significant transformation. Innovative drugs such as semaglutide and tirzepatide – often referred to as "weight-loss injections" – mimic the action of specific gut…

Last Friday, June 20, 2025, the “Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften” (Long Night of the Sciences) took place again in Leipzig. In cooperation with the Leipzig study site of the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), HI-MAG once again opened its doors…

Leipziger Wissenschaftspreis 2025 für Antje Körner

Professor Antje Körner has been awarded the Leipzig Science Award 2025. The prize, endowed with €10,000, recognizes her research in the field of childhood obesity and metabolic diseases. The award ceremony took place during a formal event at Leipzig…

Helmholtz Munich is a partner in four Clusters of Excellence selected for funding under the Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state governments. The projects, each granted a seven-year term, were announced by the German Research…

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…

Nahrungsmittelallergie Allergie gegen Nahrungsmittel

For the report “Auf Diät forever?”, the Y-Kollektiv visited the HI-MAG outpatient clinic at the University of Leipzig Medical Center and took a look at our Metabolic Chambers, which are used to measure energy expenditure in calories. (Documentary in…

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 new study from Zurich and Leipzig investigates why some overweight people remain healthy while others develop metabolic diseases. The researchers created an atlas of adipose tissue and gene activity in healthy and diseased overweight individuals.…

Plastiaksackerl mit Lebensmittel in Sichtverpackung aus Plastik.

Plastic materials are found everywhere, which leads to constant exposure to chemicals used in plastics, such as plasticizers. These chemicals, which make plastic more flexible, may be linked to obesity because they can disrupt the body’s metabolism.

Alessio Pollastri is handed over the Poster Prize at the 18th Leipzig Research Festival

HI-MAG doctoral researcher Alessio Pollastri, who works at the research group of Prof. Dr. Matthias Blüher titled “Clinical Obesity Research”, won the Research Prize at the 18th Leipzig Research Festival in the category of Diseases of Civilization:…

HI-MAG Team Leader Dr. Maria Keller completed her habilitation with the title “Lifestyle-mediated epigenetic modifications and their impact on metabolic health” at the Medical Faculty of Leipzig University and obtained the venia legendi in the field…

The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology Commission on Clinical Obesity

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…

Leipzig Energy Expenditure Symposium 16.-18.12.2024 - Gruppenbilder Speaker

From December 16th to 18th, 2024, HI-MAG held its first "Energy Expenditure Symposium," bringing together experts and researchers to discuss advancements in metabolic research.

Veranstaltung im Bergson_Abnehmspritze_Matthias Tschöp_Matthias Blüher

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,…

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…

Dr Lucas Massier has joined HI-MAG as a group leader on 1 September 2024 and will establish a young investigators group in the field of obesity research, entitled 'Adipose Tissue Microarchitecture and Metabolism'.

Begrüßungspräsentation des 3. Internationalen SFB-Symposiums

From September 2nd to 4th, 2024, the Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 1052 "Obesity Mechanisms" held its third international symposium at Leipzig University’s Felix-Klein lecture hall. Matthias Blüher, spokesperson of CRC 1052 and director of…

A team of researchers at the Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG) of Helmholtz Munich in Leipzig and the University of Leipzig has uncovered a significant connection between the concentration of salivary…

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.…

At the Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG) in Leipzig, two metabolic chambers for humans have been constructed with the objective of determining the influence of obesity and other metabolic diseases on energy…

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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…

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German Center for Child and Adolescent Health (DZKJ) will become a new partner of the German Centers for Health Research (DZG) from June 1, 2024. The nationally organized and networked research center will receive 30 million... (Article in German)

Adel Ben-Kraiem, a postdoctoral researcher in the Jais Lab at HI-MAG, has been selected for the Early Career Training Programme (ECTP) of the FENS Forum 2024, a highly competitive initiative that recognizes and supports exceptional early-career…

Dr. Robert Stein has been awarded one of this year's General Project Grants from the German Diabetes Association (DDG) in the amount of €15,000 for his project, entitled "Identification of Subtypes of Children and Adolescents at Risk of Diabetes…

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. Antje Körner, Head of the Metabolism Division at the Helmholtz Institute of Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG) at Helmholtz Munich and Professor of Metabolic Research at Leipzig University’s Faculty of Medicine, has been named as…

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

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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", HI-MAG

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Dr. Bilal Sheikh

Group Leader "Vascular Epigenetics"

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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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Mitarbeiter-/PI-Porträt Michael Stumvoll

Prof. Dr. Michael Stumvoll

Clinical Programme Director Clinical Trial Unit

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Maxi Albert

PhD Candidate, Massier Lab

Omar Alhaji

PhD Candidate, Körner Lab

Steffi Anding

Project Assistant, Steiner Lab, Steiner Lab

Dr. Adel Ben-Kraiem

PostDoc, Jais Lab

Susan Berthold

Technician, Blüher Lab

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Dr. Olga Bondareva

PostDoc (currently on maternity leave), Steiner Lab

Janine Brunotte

Project Assistant, Steiner Lab

Helen Broghammer

PhD Candidate, Heiker Lab

Jenny Busch

Masters Student

Friederike Butter

Student Assistant, Institute´s management

Lorenz Donndorf

PhD Candidate, Sheikh Lab, HI-MAG

Fabiana dos Santos Oliveira

PhD Candidate, Sheikh Lab

Lutz Feige

Technician, Blüher Lab

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Sarah V. Frenzel

Coordinator Clinical Trial Unit

Claudia Gebhardt

Technician, Heiker Lab

Florian Geier

Technician, Sheikh Lab

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Tobias Hagemann

Bioinformatician, Blüher Lab

Martha Hanschkow

PhD Candidate, Körner Lab

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Marlene Hausner

Technician, Steiner Lab

PD Dr. med. Sascha Heinitz

Clinician Scientist

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Dr. Anne Hoffmann

Team Leader Bioinformatics, Blüher Lab

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Dr. Maria Keller

Team Leader, Blüher Lab

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Daniela Kern

Technician, Blüher Lab

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Dr. Matthias Kern

Lab Coordinator

PD Dr. Nora Klöting

Group Leader

Sontje Krupka

PhD Candidate, Blüher Lab

Dr. Kathrin Landgraf

Post-Doc, Körner Lab

Longsheng Liao

PhD Candidate, Sheikh Lab

Nicole Maier

Study Assistant, Körner Lab

Nishtha Malhotra

PhD Candidate, Sheikh Lab

Christin Mannewitz

Team Assistant, Körner Lab

Hugo Martin

PostDoc, Sheikh Lab

Anja Moll

Technician, Jais Lab

Dr. Katja Mühlberg

Guest Researcher, Steiner Lab

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Dr. Pamela A. Nono Nankam

PostDoc, Blüher Lab

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Christina Papa

PhD Candidate, Sheikh Lab

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Dr. Katja Piotrowski

Science Manager, Körner Lab, HI-MAG

Alessio Pollastri

PhD Candidate, Blüher Lab, HI-MAG

Dr. Mariana Ponce de Léon Rodríguez

Postdoc, Körner Lab

Stephanie Puente Ruiz

PhD Candidate, Jais Lab

Dr. Kushan Kumara De Silva Ranakombu

Postdoc, Körner Lab

Susanne Renno

Assistant to the Director

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Dr. Kerstin Rohde-Zimmermann

Team Leader, Blüher Lab

Kristin Röhrborn

PhD Candidate, Blüher Lab

Claudia Ruffert

Technician, Blüher Lab

Asma Saidi

PhD Candidate, Jais Lab

Natalia Schischkarjow

Study Assistant Clinical Trial Unit

PD Dr. med. Haiko Schlögl

Clinician Scientist

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Dr. Julia Schuller

PostDoc, Jais Lab

Dr. Robert Stein

Clinician Scientist, Körner Lab

Christian Strehlau

PhD Candidate, Heiker Lab

Dr. Juliane Weiner

Clinician Scientist

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Dr. Eric Wenzel

Clinician Scientist, Körner Lab

Birte Winther

Clinician Scientist, Steiner Lab

Dr. Tim Wittig

Clinician Scientist, Steiner Lab

He Yao

PhD Candidate, Sheikh Lab

Faiqa Zulfqar

PhD Candidate, Sheikh Lab

Rapöhn, I. ; Broghammer, H. ; Hoffmann, A. ; Möhlis, K. ; Moormann, A. ; Kaczmarek, I. ; Thor, D. ; Großkopf, H. ; Krieg, L. ; Karkossa, I. ; Schubert, K. ; von Bergen, M. ; Krause, K. ; Breitfeld, J. ; Kovacs, P. ; Klöting, N. ; Nuwayhid, R. ; Langer, S. ; Ghosh, A. ; Wolfrum, C. ; Stumvoll, M. ; Blüher, M. ; Heiker, J.T. ; Weiner, J.

Inhibition of adipocyte lipolysis by vaspin impairs thermoregulation in vivo.

Jiang, M. ; Stifel, U. ; Blüher, M. ; Lefebvre, H. ; Bornstein, S.R. ; Bechmann, N.

Adrenal - adipose tissue crosstalk in health and disease.

Baber, R. ; Müller, I. ; Würfel, M. ; Keller, M.

Biosampling in der Adipositasforschung: Herausforderungen, Innovationen und translationale Potenziale.

Arslanian, S. ; Gies, I. ; Goldman, B. ; Karlsson, T. ; Kelly, A.S. ; Skalshøi Kjær, M. ; Körner, A. ; Noureddin, M. ; Wabitsch, M. ; Harder-Lauridsen, N.M. ; Weghuber, D.

Effect of semaglutide on insulin sensitivity and cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescents with obesity: The STEP TEENS study.

Saeed, S. ; Hoffmann, A. ; Svensson, S.I.A. ; Visnovska, T. ; Hagemann, T. ; Ghosh, A. ; Wolfrum, C. ; Cayir, A. ; Mala, T. ; Kristinsson, J.A. ; Blüher, M. ; Valderhaug, T.G. ; Böttcher, Y.

Integrative analysis of gene expression and histone modifications for DES, DSP, GJA1 and SMOC2 in adipose tissue reveals potential relationship to cardiometabolic health.

Heinitz, S. ; Blüher, M.

Adipositas und kardiovaskuläres Risiko – mehr als nur der BMI.

Brandt-Heunemann, S. ; Vogel, M. ; Kiess, W. ; Körner, A. ; Blüher, M. ; Meigen, C. ; Stein, R. ; Wenzel, E. ; Landgraf, K. ; von Schnurbein, J. ; Denzer, C. ; Lennerz, B.S. ; Elad, L. ; Kornmann, M. ; Pridzun, L. ; Rothenbacher, D. ; Steinacker, J.M. ; Janda, A. ; Rutters, F. ; Elders, P.J.M. ; Neuhäuser-Berthold, M. ; Boeing, H. ; Juul, A. ; Ranke, M.B. ; Kratzsch, J. ; Wabitsch, M.

Reference values for serum leptin levels in children, adolescents, and adults with normal weight, overweight, and obesity.

Rønningen, T. ; Zeng, Y. ; Dahl, M.B. ; Wang, J. ; Visnovska, T. ; Tannæs, T.M. ; la Cour Poulsen, L. ; Cayir, A. ; Svensson, S.I.A. ; Svanevik, M. ; Hertel, J.K. ; Hjelmesæth, J. ; Kristinsson, J.A. ; Mala, T. ; Blüher, M. ; He, H.H. ; Valderhaug, T.G. ; Böttcher, Y.

Global mapping of RNA N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) in human subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue reveals novel targets that correlate with clinical variables of obesity.

Pachter, D. ; Yaskolka Meir, A. ; Kaplan, A. ; Tsaban, G. ; Zelicha, H. ; Rinott, E. ; Levakov, G. ; Finkelstein, O. ; Shelef, I. ; Salti, M. ; Beyer, F. ; Witte, V. ; Klöting, N. ; Isermann, B. ; Ceglarek, U. ; Riklin Raviv, T. ; Blüher, M. ; Stumvoll, M. ; Wang, D.D. ; Hu, F.B. ; Stampfer, M.J. ; Avidan, G. ; Shai, I.

Serum Galectin-9 and Decorin in relation to brain aging and the green-Mediterranean diet: A secondary analysis of the DIRECT PLUS randomized trial.

Goerdeler, C. ; Engelmann, B. ; Broghammer, H. ; Aldehoff, A.S. ; Wabitsch, M. ; Schubert, K. ; Blüher, M. ; Heiker, J.T. ; Rolle-Kampczyk, U. ; von Bergen, M.

¹³C metabolic tracing in human SGBS cells provides a potential new approach methodology for assessing metabolism-disrupting properties of environmental chemicals.

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 Yound 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

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

Eric Wenzel Receives the 2025 Jürgen-Bierich Research Award

Salivary Extracellular Vesicle-Derived microRNAs Are Linked to Obesity, Taste, and Eating Behavior

CarePath: Helmholtz Munich Joins EU Project to Support People With Chronic Conditions

diabinfo in Dialogue: Obesity and Diabetes – Evolving Approaches to Prevention and Treatment

Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften 2025: HI-MAG participated again

Leipzig Science Award 2025 for Antje Körner

Helmholtz Munich Partners in four Clusters of Excellence

The Crucial Role of KLK7: How a Protease Promotes Immune Cell Invasion of Visceral Fat

On the Trail of the Calorie: The Y-Kollektiv as Guests at the Red House

New Knowledge Portal Adiposetissue.org Enhances Obesity and Metabolism Research with Centralized Data

Unveiling Adipose Populations Linked to Metabolic Health in Obesity

Metabolic and Molecular Characterization, Following Dietary Exposure to DINCH, Reveals new Implications for its Role as a Metabolism-Disrupting Chemical

HI-MAG Doctoral Researcher Won Research Prize at 18th Leipzig Research Festival

Maria Keller Completed Habilitation

Re-Defining Obesity as a Disease

HI-MAG Hosts Inaugural Energy Expenditure Symposium

Helmholtz Munich at Bergson Kunstkraftwerk: From Concept to Reality – The Journey of the Weight Loss Injection

Maria Keller receives the 2024 Research Prize of the German Obesity Society

New Groupleader at HI-MAG: Lucas Massier to Head New Young Investigators Group in Leipzig

CRC 1052 "Obesity Mechanisms" Hosted Third International Symposium in Collaboration with HI-MAG

The Concentration of Salivary Extracellular Vesicles Is Related to Obesity

Bilal Sheikh Awarded Henriette-Herz Scout 2024

Metabolic chambers inaugurated at HI-MAG - new research opportunities for analyzing human energy metabolism

Father's Diet Before Conception Influences Children's Health

German Center for Child and Adolescent Health - Leipzig/Dresden is involved as a location

Adel Ben-Kraiem selected for FENS Forum Early Career Training Programme 2024

Robert Stein Awarded General DDG Project Funding for New Research Project on Diabetes Risk in Children and Adolescents

Helmholtz Munich at the German Parliament: Breakthroughs in Common Diseases: Obesity and Diabetes

Obesity Prize for Excellence for Antje Körner