John Heiker

John studied chemistry at the University of Leipzig and transitioned to Biochemistry during his Diploma and PhD research at the Institute of Biochemistry in the group of Prof. Annette G. Beck-Sickinger. During his PhD as a fellow of the Studienstiftung he worked within the Clinical Research Group (KFO152) “Atherobesity” focusing on molecular mechanisms of adipokines in obesity-associated insulin resistance using in vitro and in vivo models of the obesity disease.

From 2010-2012, he joined the group of Prof. Matthias Blüher in the Department of Medicine, Endocrinology and Diabetes at the University of Leipzig for his postdoctoral studies, before starting his independent junior research group “Molecular Medicine” back at the Institute of Biochemistry and funded by the European Regional and Development Fund in 2013. He joined the Clinical Research Center (SFB 1052) “Obesity mechanisms” as a PI in 2014.

His group is interested in molecular mechanisms that underlie or contribute to the human disease of obesity and its comorbidities. One main focus is on the role of proteases and their serpin inhibitors in white and brown adipose tissue function. The group furthermore investigates factors and mechanisms that regulate energy intake, storage and expenditure, all with the aim to identify new targets for obesity treatment.

In July 2019, John started as leader of an independent group at the Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG) of Helmholtz Munich at the University of Leipzig and University Hospital Leipzig.

His research group is associated with the Institute of Biochemistry at the University of Leipzig and as of February 3, 2020, John is a private lecturer (PD) at the Institute of Biochemistry.