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Helmholtz Munich | John Heiker

Molecular Obesity Research / Heiker-Lab

Our group ‘Molecular Obesity Research’ pursues several approaches to investigate protein, especially serpins and proteases, function in adipose tissue and obesity. We use our expertise in protein expression and purification to generate substantial amounts of these proteins and elucidate the structural characteristics and molecular mechanisms underlying their biologic activity. In parallel, we are dedicated to unravel their physiological function in health and disease using isolated cells, tissues and animal models. 

Our group ‘Molecular Obesity Research’ pursues several approaches to investigate protein (e.g. serpin or protease) function in adipose tissue and obesity. We use our expertise in protein expression and purification to generate substantial amounts of these proteins and elucidate the structural characteristics and molecular mechanisms underlying their biologic activity. In parallel, we are dedicated to unravel their physiological function in health and disease using isolated cells, tissues and animal models. 

Lab Members

PD Dr. Dr. John Heiker

Group Leader "Molecular Obesity Research" View profile

Inka Rapöhn

PhD Candidate (CRC 1052)

Kevin Möhlis

PhD Candidate (CRC 1052)

Christian Strehlau

PhD Candidate

Claudia Gebhardt

Technician

Olivia Paetow

Technician

Dr. Juliane Weiner

PostDoc / Guest Researcher

Michael Schneekönig

Master's Student

Rachel Sophie Zimmer

Master's Student

Maren Wiermann

Master's Student

Anna Sophia Moormann

Master's Student

Isabel Sandner

Master's Student

Alumni of the Heiker Lab

  • Lisa Christen, PhD (2020-2023)
  • Sebastian Dommel, PostDoc (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)
  • Nicolas Mytzka, M.Sc. (2020)
  • Estelle Erkner, M.Sc. (2019)
  • Benjamin Fritz, M.Sc. (2019)
  • Lisa Volke, M.Sc. (2019)

Contact Heiker-Lab:

PD Dr. Dr. John Heiker

Group Leader "Molecular Obesity Research"

Leipzig