MORe - Molecular Obesity Research / Heiker-Lab
Restoring adipocyte metabolic fitness through protein biology.
Our group investigates the molecular mechanisms that govern adipocyte biology in health and obesity. We study how proteins regulate thermogenesis, lipid metabolism, inflammation and intercellular communication to maintain metabolic fitness. Combining structural biology, protein biochemistry, functional genomics and translational studies in human and mouse models, we identify new therapeutic targets that enhance adipose tissue function and increase energy expenditure.
Restoring adipocyte metabolic fitness through protein biology.
Our group investigates the molecular mechanisms that govern adipocyte biology in health and obesity. We study how proteins regulate thermogenesis, lipid metabolism, inflammation and intercellular communication to maintain metabolic fitness. Combining structural biology, protein biochemistry, functional genomics and translational studies in human and mouse models, we identify new therapeutic targets that enhance adipose tissue function and increase energy expenditure.
Alumni of the Heiker Lab
| Katharina Höhn, B.Sc. (2026) | Flavia Rudolph, M.Sc. (2026) |
| Inka Rapöhn, PhD, M.Sc., student assistant (2019-2026) | Jenny Busch, M.Sc. (2025) |
| Kevin Möhlis, PhD (2021-2024) | Maren Wiermann, M.Sc., student assistant (2022-2024) |
| Rachel Zimmer, M.Sc., student assistant (2023-2024) | Lukas Schneider, student assistant (2023-2024) |
| Lotta Koscheck, B.Sc. (2024) | Mathilda Krause, school intern (2024) |
| Anika Bellmann, school intern (2024) | Isabel Sandner, M.Sc. (2023) |
| Anna Moormann, M.Sc., student assistant (2022-2023) | Marie Saurbrey, B.Sc. (2023) |
| Michael Schneekönig, M.Sc. (2023) | Andrine Frank, student assistant (2022-2023) |
| Lisa Christen, PhD (2020-2023) | Sebastian Dommel, M.Sc., PostDoc (2017, 2022-2023) |
| Aleix Ribas-Latre, PostDoc (2020-2023) | Hanna Scheffold, B.Sc. (2022) |
| Catherine Tindall, PhD (2017-2021) | Sophie Rehme, M.Sc. (2021) |
| Helen Broghammer, B.Sc. (2021) | Sandra Kuhn, M.Sc. (2021) |
| Christian Strehlau, M.Sc. (2020) | Nicolas Mytzka, M.Sc. (2020) |
| Konstamze Zieger, PhD (2013-2019) | Clemens Hörhold, school intern “Jugend forscht” (2019) |
| Benjamin Fritz, M.Sc. (2019) | Estelle Erkner, M.Sc. (2019) |
| Lisa Volke, M.Sc. (2019) | Nele Ferekiedis, M.Sc. (2018/19) |
| David Ulbricht, PhD (2013-2018) | Anna Kolesnikow, student assistant (2017-2018) |
| Isabell Kaczmarek, M.Sc. (2018) | Richard Konecny, school intern (2018) |
| Veronika Riedl, M.Sc. (2018) | Richard Friedrich, B.Sc., student assistant (2017) |
| Kathrin Oertwig, M.Sc. (2016) | Max Schwarz, M.Sc. (2015) |
| Martin Kohn, M.Sc. (2016) | Jan Daberger, B.Sc. (2015) |
| Melanie Kuhrig, M.Sc. (2014) | Maximilian Preuß , B.Sc. (2014) |
| Kristin Arnsburg, M.Sc. (2013) |