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Explore our latest highlights.

Explore our latest highlights.

Intricate network of red capillaries, a detailed view of microscopic blood vessels conveying vitality

New Research Findings, Bioengineering, IBMI, January 22, 2026

New Imaging Technology Detects Early Signs of Heart Disease Through the Skin

Researchers from Helmholtz Munich and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have developed “fast-RSOM”, a new imaging technology that can capture detailed images of the smallest blood vessels directly through the skin – without the need for…

Big data technology data science analysis

A new artificial intelligence (AI) method called BioPathNet helps researchers systematically search large biological data networks for hidden connections – from gene functions and disease mechanisms to potential therapeutic approaches. BioPathNet was…

Maria Keller mit einer Kollegin im Labor

Dr. habil. Maria Keller, team leader at the Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity, and Vascular Research (HI-MAG), an institute of Helmholtz Munich at the University of Leipzig and University of Leipzig Medical Center, has successfully secured…

Anatomical Visualization of Muscles

Cachexia is a metabolic disorder that causes uncontrolled weight loss and muscle wasting in chronic diseases and cancer. A new study by Helmholtz Munich, in collaboration with the Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague,…

A magnified view of the large intestine's surface, showing its muscular wall and fatty tissue

Abdominal fat is not a uniform tissue. A new study from Helmholtz Munich, Karolinska Institutet and Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, published in Cell Metabolism, reveals that fat located close to the large intestine contains an unusually high…

Detailed view of a computer interface used by geneticists showing a complex genome mapping software with colorful DNA strands without displaying any personal identity in a modern research lab

With single-cell technologies, researchers can measure millions of cells in parallel and track how each one responds to specific perturbations – targeted interventions such as drug treatments, changes in gene activity or disease-like conditions.…

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A team of researchers from the Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG), an institute of Helmholtz Munich at the Leipzig University, in collaboration with the University Hospital of Leipzig Medical Center and the…

Diabetes test

Researchers have conducted the most comprehensive analysis to date linking plasma proteins to genetic variation in individuals from continental Africa. Their work addresses a long-standing gap by studying a population grossly underrepresented in…

HMGU_Icon_Computat_Health

Researchers from Helmholtz Munich, the Technical University of Munich (TUM), and international partner institutions have generated one of the most detailed cellular maps of carotid artery plaques to date. Their work shows how different cell types and…

INSERM 15.12.2025

On the occasion of an official visit, Helmholtz Munich and the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) welcomed a high-ranking delegation from Inserm, the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Institut national de la santé et de…

Human heart

For the first time, an international analysis has shown that when people with prediabetes bring their blood glucose back into the normal range through lifestyle changes, their risk of heart attack, heart failure, and premature death is cut in half.…

HMGU_Icon_Diabetes_2

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…

Portrait Ele Zeggini

The European Commission has appointed Prof. Eleftheria Zeggini, Director of the Institute of Translational Genomics at Helmholtz Munich, to the Scientific Council of the European Research Council (ERC). Alongside five newly selected members, she will…

Portrait Jian Cui

Dr. Jian Cui, principal investigator at the Helmholtz Pioneer Campus, has been awarded an ERC Consolidator Grant for his project PhotonSignaling. As part of Helmholtz Munich’s innovation hub, Cui belongs to a generation of “Pioneers” turning bold…

Blood flow

Research into a novel form of cell death is entering its next phase and could soon help reduce complications after heart attacks or organ transplants. The Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR) is providing continued support for…

Raffaele Teperino

Dr. Raffaele Teperino, Principal Investigator of the Environmental Epigenetics Group at Helmholtz Munich, has been honored with the PRO-SCIENTIA Award 2025 of the Eckhart-Buddecke Foundation. The award, endowed with 10,000 euros, recognizes…

All Transfer Public Engagement Awards & Grants Diabetes Stem Cells Environmental Health Computational Health Bioengineering Molecular Targets and Therapeutics Pioneer Campus

How Foundation Models Are Shaping Biomedical Research

AI-powered foundation models like GPT have evolved from everyday tools for simple tasks to powerful systems capable of…

An AI powered system automating remote patient monitoring by analyzing real time health data and vital signs, futuristic AI-driven healthcare platform

Science Through an Artistic Lens

In a world where scientific innovation is increasingly interconnected, the RepliFate-Artist in Residence program seeks to…

Cellular Reprogramming Necklace by Anna Dumitriu photo credit Audrey Rose Mizzi large_QUER

Tracing the First Building Blocks of Life

What connects Helmholtz Munich with space research? The globally unique analytical methods developed by Prof. Philippe…

Bennu polycam mosaic obtained before spacecraft arrival

Ali Ertürk’s Journey in Transformative Biomedical Imaging

Imagine a world where the most intricate networks and processes within whole bodies are visible – down to the level of…

Ali Ertürk with transparent mouse

Ferroptosis: Controlling Life or Death of Cells

Cell death is indispensable to life, as it ensures the removal of damaged or unnecessary cells. Among the many ways a cell can…

Apoptosis process in a cell

Germany’s Largest Biorepository

The largest repository of human biosamples in Germany is located at the Helmholtz Munich campus. It features cutting-edge…

Stickstofftanks

Staple Foods With Reasons for Concern

How researchers from Helmholtz Munich are making wheat, oats, barley, and co. fit for the future.

Wheat field

The Light that Listens to Health and Disease

The research of Prof. Dr. Vasilis Ntziachristos and his team leads to novel, groundbreaking medical imaging tools. Their…

Screenshot Video AI Human Body

Impact from Heat on Health

Driven by climate change, heatwaves are becoming increasingly frequent and prolonged in Germany. Especially for older adults,…

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Science is better when everyone is included. Yet, only about a third of researchers worldwide are women. It’s time to change that. On this page, Helmholtz Munich celebrates inspiring careers and female leaderhip.

Woman posing under neon lights with blue and purple background

An apple a day..." is not enough. Prevention starts with research.

Kampagnen Banner Prävention SoMe

Discover how new technologies like AI, and Bioengineering are accelerating the future of personalized medicine.

Thanks to excellent basic research, groundbreaking innovations against obesity as well as in the field of diabetes prevention and therapy are emerging at Helmholtz Munich.

Screenshot Diabetes Campaign Video

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the exceptional potential to improve human health: Advanced data analysis and machine learning methods developed by our experts are revolutionizing medical research.

AI Key Visual

K1DS ARE HEROES

is a heroic campaign to raise awareness of type 1 diabetes and inform parents abour early detection options. Find out how you can be a part of the campaign at hero-k1ds.de

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Take a look at our past and upcoming events.

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Helmholtz Pioneer Campus Opening

A team of researchers from the Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG), an institute of Helmholtz Munich at the Leipzig University, in collaboration with the University Hospital of Leipzig Medical Center and the…

Researchers from Helmholtz Munich, the Technical University of Munich (TUM), and international partner institutions have generated one of the most detailed cellular maps of carotid artery plaques to date. Their work shows how different cell types and…

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…

Researchers at Helmholtz Munich have found that the body begins signaling the risk of type 2 diabetes many years before the disease is diagnosed. In a long-term study, the team examined hundreds of blood metabolites – small molecules that reflect…

A new study reveals how two key molecular players – the linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex (LUBAC) and TRAF6 – work together to fine-tune immune signaling in T cells. Published in Nature Communications, the research from the group of Prof.…

Scientists at Helmholtz Munich, together with Harvard Medical School and international collaborators, have developed TITAN, an artificial intelligence (AI) model capable of analyzing and describing digital pathology slides. By combining information…

When nanoparticles enter the lungs, the immune system reacts within minutes. Researchers from the Institute of Lung Health and Immunity (LHI) at Helmholtz Munich have now revealed how alveolar macrophages – immune cells located in the lung’s air sacs…

Two new studies published in Nature show that metastatic melanoma and lung adenocarcinoma rely on the protein ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 (FSP1) for survival – identifying a metabolic dependency that may inform the development of new cancer…

In the fight against disease, programmed cell death – also known as apoptosis – is a key protective function of the body. It breaks down cells that are damaged or have undergone dangerous changes. However, cancer cells often manage to override this…

Pancreas development in pigs resembles humans much more closely than does the established mouse model. An international team headed by Helmholtz Munich and the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) has now produced a comprehensive evolutionary…

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 recent study led by Prof. Eleftheria Zeggini, Director of the Institute of Translational Genomics at Helmholtz Munich, provides new insights into how genetic risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D) can influence a wide range of health conditions beyond…

When immune system killer cells detect signs of infection, some of them rapidly multiply, forming a large defensive force to fight the pathogen. However, this response does not occur in every killer cell. What determines whether a cell will…

A new study, led by Helmholtz Munich and the Earlham Institute as part of a global collaboration, has generated the first wheat pan-transcriptome – a comprehensive map of gene activity across multiple wheat varieties.

Until now, weight reduction has been the primary therapeutic goal for people with prediabetes. An analysis shows that patients who bring their blood sugar levels back within the normal range through a healthy lifestyle but do not lose weight, or even…

The harmless skin bacterium Staphylococcus hominis may play a key role in protecting the skin barrier in neurodermatitis (atopic dermatitis). Researchers from University Medicine Augsburg and Helmholtz Munich, together with colleagues from Freiburg,…

Researchers have identified insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) as a key regulator of adipose tissue expansion during early postnatal development. This study, led by Dr. Siegfried Ussar from Helmholtz Munich and the German Center for Diabetes…

Researchers from Helmholtz Munich, Roche Diagnostics, and the Technical University of Munich have developed the most comprehensive single-cell atlas to date of human atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques, which form in the arteries and can lead to…

In recent biomedical research, attention is increasingly turning to the amount of drug that actually reaches lung tissue, known as the “lung-deposited dose”. A new comment in Nature Reviews Bioengineering highlights the importance of this measure for…

A research team at Helmholtz Munich and Helmholtz AI, led by Prof. Lara Urban, has demonstrated that artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to distinguish between living and dead microorganisms by analysing raw data signal from nanopore DNA…

A joint study by Helmholtz Munich, the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), and Goethe University Frankfurt reveals how a novel drug may help prevent type 1 diabetes (T1D) by restoring immune balance. The findings were published in Molecular…

Researchers at Helmholtz Munich have uncovered a signaling mechanism in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana that allows roots to warn and prime the shoots for potential microbial threats. Central to this root-to-shoot communication is a small…

The skeletal muscles of men and women process glucose and fats in different ways. A study conducted by the Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases at Helmholtz Munich, the University Hospital of Tübingen and the German Center for…

Researchers led by Dr. Joel Schick at Helmholtz Munich, in collaboration with Dr. Cathryn Haigh from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), have identified a key mechanism driving brain cell death in prion diseases – a group of rare but fatal…

A new study conducted by researchers at Helmholtz Munich and collaborators reveals a significant association between long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution and impaired odor identification, a possible early indicator of neurodegenerative…

A new study highlights the role of circadian rhythm, cortisol regulation, and dopamine signaling in the development of depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. By using detailed genetic analyses at the exon level, researchers uncovered common…

An international study led by Helmholtz Munich and Forschungszentrum Jülich has identified genetic factors that influence the shape of subcortical brain regions – advancing beyond previous research that focused primarily on brain volume. The findings…

A new international study led by Helmholtz Munich and the University of Rostock reveals that emissions from modern gasoline cars – despite meeting the currently strictest European emission standards EURO 6d – can become significantly more harmful…

A new artificial intelligence (AI) tool, HistoGPT, is set to transform the field of dermatopathology by automating the process of generating high-quality pathology reports from histology images. Developed by a multidisciplinary team led by Helmholtz…

Researchers from the Institute of Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of Helmholtz Munich at the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, the University Hospital of Tübingen, the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), as well as the…

Porträt von Steffen Schneider

How to Harness Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Dr. Steffen Schneider explains the opportunities that AI technologies like machine learning offer – especially when this know-how is taught as early as school. For example, AI can help…

Develop a protocol for the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from somatic cells in the in vitro laboratory _AdobeStock_760802337

Stem cells are transforming the way we think about treating disease, repairing damaged tissues, and even regenerating entire organs. As a cornerstone of regenerative medicine, they offer hope for conditions previously thought untreatable. In their…

Scientific vector illustration quantum computer technology. Plexus fiction effect. Deep learning artificial intelligence. Big data algorithms visualization. Quantum explosion background.

The integration of Large Language Models (LLMs) into scientific workflows is growing. Diverse groups of scientists reflect and engaged in debate on the question „How should the advent of large language models affect the practice of science?”

Machine Learning Algorithms

The project FUTURE-AI aims to bridge the gap between AI research and clinical adoption in healthcare. It provides guidelines for developing trustworthy AI tools, built on six guiding principles and 30 best practices.

Professors Stephan Herzig and Alexander Bartelt take a closer look at chronic intermittent fasting: What role does age play, and how do targeted fasting periods impact the long-term maturation and function of β-cells?

Dr. Alexandra Schneider

Interview with Dr. Alexandra Schneider about the effects of extreme weather conditions on cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks and strokes.

Dr. med. habil. Katharina Lechner, Medical Lead of the KORA Digital-Fit Intervention Study, Helmholtz Munich

Katharina Lechner's goal is to help people age healthily. That's why she focuses on personalized prevention strategies. Find here how she plans to implement these and make them accessible to everyone.

Microscopic image of a brain organoid, cross section.

In a novel international study, researchers have created the Human Neural Organoid Cell Atlas (HNOCA). This atlas integrates 1.7 million single-cell transcriptomic profiles, offering a powerful tool for studying brain development, disease mechanisms,…

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Prof. Zeynep Akata is selected as one of the leading "Top 40 Under 40". Read her compelling interview!

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Prof. Stefan Bauer advocates for the democratization and transparency of machine learning research. Read more in this Interview with the AI-expert and Senior PI.

Prof. Matthias Tschöp

Interview with Prof. Matthias Tschöp about health research and prevention with cutting-edge tools.

Five prestigious Starting Grants from the European Research Council have been granted to researchers with Helmholtz Munich as the host institution. The funding will enable scientists at Helmholtz Munich to advance innovative projects across various…

In this interview, Dr. Vincent Fortuin explains their new approach for reliable AI.

High-Salt Diet

Knowledge bites about the impact of high-salt diet on allergic asthma and the driving force of these new insights on personalized medicin. Learn about the latest findings in an interview with Prof. Francesca Alessandrini.

The research results…

Michael Sattler

Prof. Michael Sattler on exploring the impact of understanding molecular disease mechanisms and advancing personalized therapies.

Prof. Dr. Annette Peters

Interview with Prof. Annette Peters about how to protect yourself better against heat.

Prof. Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann

Interview with Prof. Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann about healthcare and resilience to heat and other effects of climate change.

Eric Schulz

An Interview with Dr. Eric Schulz about Foundation Models and Machine Psychology.

Prof. Anette-Gabriele Ziegler

Prof. Anette-Gabriele Ziegler about her contribution to novel therapies for type 1 diabetes.

Prof. Önder Yildirim

Interview with Prof. Önder Yildirim about nutrition and COPD.

Prof. Markus Diefenbacher

An interview with Prof. Markus Diefenbacher, new Principal Investigator (PI) at the Helmholtz Munich Institute for Lung Health and Immunity

Portrait Prof. Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann

Prof. Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann explains how climate change affects our health. The environmental medicine specialist focuses on the prevention of allergic diseases such as hay fever and neurodermatitis.

Theis_Eskofier

An interview with Prof. Fabian Theis, Head of the Computational Health Center, and Prof. Bjoern Eskofier, Group Leader for Translational Digital Health. The researchers hosted the first Munich Health Foundation Model Symposium on April 10, 2024, at…

Prof. Stephan Herzig

Prof. Stephan Herzig explains why intermittent fasting with conscious breaks of eating helps to bring the metabolism into harmony with the body's internal rhythm and thus improve health and prevent diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases,…

Götz Header

Prof. Magdalena Götz about the fascinating research on reprogramming glia cells and cell replacement therapy in the field of brain injuries

Eleftheria Zeggini Portrait

Prof. Eleftheria Zeggini about equity, diversity and inclusion in science

Porträt Maja Funk_Banner

How do ageing and environmental stress promote chronic inflammatory diseases? Maja Funk, new PI at the Institute of Lung Health and Immunity (LHI) at Helmholtz Munich is getting to the bottom of this question. Together with her team, she investigates…

Prof. Maria-Elena Torres-Padilla im Interview

Prof. Maria-Elena Torres-Padilla about empowering a team and her enthusiasm for epigenetics.

Siegfried Ussar

Dr. Siegfrid Ussar, Head of the new research unit “Adipocytes & Metabolism” at Helmholtz Munich, is researching ways to decouple obesity and its metabolic complications. This is particularly important given the significant health problems caused by…

Portrait Matthias Tschöp

Prof. Matthias Tschöp explains why multi-receptor drugs are game changers in treating obesity and preventing diabetes effectively and safely – and why they are not a “miracle treatment” for a dream body. This year, he received the Banting Medal for…

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