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IDE - Institute for Diabetes and Endocrinology
Helmholtz Munich

Helmholtz Diabetes Center Institute for Diabetes and Endocrinology

Our entire lives are controlled by hormones, every minute of every day! We are applying cutting edge genomic technologies to uncover novel mechanisms and drug targets regulating metabolic and inflammatory gene networks.

Our entire lives are controlled by hormones, every minute of every day! We are applying cutting edge genomic technologies to uncover novel mechanisms and drug targets regulating metabolic and inflammatory gene networks.

About our Research

Hormones like Glucocorticoids are powerful physiological regulators and important drugs (for example cortisol, cortisone, dexamethasone, prednisone). They bind to and activate the Glucocorticoid Receptor, which is a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily of transcription factors. Here at IDE, we are studying Glucocorticoid responses as an entry point for the discovery of novel molecular mechanisms underlying the pathology of metabolic and inflammatory disorders, and for the identification of innovative therapeutic approaches. Our scientists are combining preclinical models and molecular genetic tools with omics and bioinformatics approaches to understand how stress hormones or immunomodulatory drugs control gene networks. Current areas of interest include circadian rhythms, nutritional programming, hepatic metabolism and aging.

Research Areas

Circadian Rhythms

IDE scientists are curious to find out how 24 hour rhythms of light/dark, feeding and fasting, sleep-wake and activity or rest shape our chromatin landscapes to control metabolism and hormone responses.

 

Innate Immune Responses

Glucocorticoids are potent, life-saving anti-inflammatory agents, but their clinical use is limited by severe side effects. At IDE, we are taking a multi-omics approach to identify novel immunomodulatory networks and key regulators.

Fatty Liver Disease

Currently, therapeutic options for the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatic fibrosis and liver cancer are very limited. Researchers at IDE are using preclinical disease models to find out which nuclear hormone receptors or co-regulators may be amenable for drug targeting, and how nutrition affects the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis and steatosis.

Aging

Caloric restriction is well known to extend both life and health span in a wide range of organisms. IDE scientists are curious to find out which hormonal signals are mediating these beneficial effects on longevity, and how to use this knowledge to liver longer, better.

Staff

Dr. Sybille Regn

Scientific Coordination

Judith Brehme

Project Assistant

Dr. Suhail Akhtar Ansari

Postdoc

Dr. Widad Dantoft

Postdoc
Porträt Lina Fadel

Lina Fadel

Postdoc

Dr. Celine Jouffe

Postdoc
Porträt Fabiana Quaguarini

Dr. Fabiana Quagliarini

Postdoc

Vlera Fonda

PhD

Priya Singh

PhD
Porträt Daniel Valencia

Daniel Agudelo Valencia

PhD

Kristina Beresowski

Technical Assistant

Betty Haderlein

Technical Assistant
Porträt Teresa Horn

Teresa Horn

Technical Assistant

Highlight Publications

See all

Kenneth Allen Dyar, Michaël Jean Hubert, Ashfaq Ali Mir, Stefano Ciciliot, Dominik Lutter, Franziska Greulich, Fabiana Quagliarini, Maximilian Kleinert, Katrin Fischer, Thomas Oliver Eichmann, Lauren Emily Wright, Marcia Ivonne Peña Paz, Alberto Casarin, Vanessa Pertegato, Vanina Romanello, Mattia Albiero, Sara Mazzucco, Rosario Rizzuto, Leonardo Salviati, Gianni Biolo, Bert Blaauw, Stefano Schiaffino, N Henriette Uhlenhaut; 2018

Transcriptional programming of lipid and amino acid metabolism by the skeletal muscle circadian clock

Contact

Dr. Sybille Regn

Scientific Coordination

Judith Brehme

Project Assistant