We Fight Diabetes!

Discovering Future Health.

We Fight Diabetes!

Discovering Future Health.

Over two-thirds of adults in this country are overweight, with a quarter suffering from obesity, which is massive overweight. The affected individuals are particularly at risk because often secondary diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, or cancer occur. 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.

Prof. Anette-Gabriele Ziegler about her vision to fight type 1 diabetes.

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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, and cancer.

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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.

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Breakthrough solutions for obesity treatment and prevention of diabetes.

Gut hormone drugs are revolutionizing obesity treatment by not just promoting significant weight loss but also improving blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure, reducing diabetes and risk for heart diseases.

Helmholtz Munich CEO Prof. Matthias Tschöp played a pivotal role in this breakthrough, driven by his focus on the brain's role in appetite regulation. Decades of research led to key discoveries, resulting in groundbreaking medications like Tirzepatide.

Our vision: Personalized cell therapies for battling obesity or diabetes.

Scientists at Helmholtz Munich pioneer "organ-on-chip" technology, using chips to cultivate human stem cells and create organoids.

With a focus on type 1 diabetes, the scientists have created PancChip. By studying beta cell development within this artificial micro-pancreas, their goal is to grow patient-specific beta cells from stem cells for replacement therapy. This tackles the scarcity of donor cells and introduces innovative avenues for diabetes treatment.

Transforming diabetes detection with AI and Imaging Tech.

Researchers have developed a cutting-edge method using artificial intelligence and advanced imaging technology to measure changes in small blood vessels under the skin linked to diabetes.

This breakthrough could revolutionize diabetes monitoring and treatment.

Unlocking new pathways in diabetes treatment.

Helmholtz Munich scientists have made a significant breakthrough in diabetes research: the discovery of the insulin-inhibiting receptor, known as "inceptor."

This finding paves the way for innovative treatments for type 2 diabetes, as inceptor emerges as a promising therapeutic target.

Scientists are investigating drug classes that block inceptor, aiming to improve the health of beta cells. These efforts could help patients with type 2 diabetes and give new hope for enhanced treatments.

Explore more of our exiting research topics related to diabetes.

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Woman's hands checking diabetes and hyperglycemia with digital blood sugar meter.

An elevated blood glucose level one hour after the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) signals a critical metabolic state – even before prediabetes. Affected individuals respond particularly well to lifestyle interventions. This value could become a…

First results of the Primary Oral Insulin Trial (POInT) mark an important step towards the prevention of type 1 diabetes, pointing future efforts to personalized strategies. The group led by researchers from Helmholtz Munich and the Technical…

Children with a family history of type 1 diabetes (T1D) have an increased risk of developing the disease. However, children born to mothers with T1D are less likely to develop the disease than those whose fathers or siblings have T1D. A new study…

Prof. Anette-Gabriele Ziegler, Director of the Helmholtz Munich Institute for Diabetes Research, is awarded with this year’s Hamm International Prize. She is being honored for her research to understand the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes and efforts…

Lecture Award 2025 - Diabetes Conference 2025

From 22 to 24 September 2025, the 12th Helmholtz Diabetes Conference brought together leading scientists from around the world to discuss how liver health influences diabetes and other metabolic diseases. For the first time, the annual meeting took…

Vierte Helmholtz Munich Expert Hour im Deutschen Bundestag

Science and politics came together once again at the German Bundestag: For the fourth time, Helmholtz Munich hosted the Helmholtz Munich Expert Hour on September 10, 2025. This dialogue format gives political decision-makers the opportunity to learn…

kind-spielt-institut-fotoshooting-nozy-andreas pfohl-220727_0587 mit Logofr1da

The Helmholtz Munich Institute for Diabetes Research has been awarded a grant of over 1 Mio. Dollar from Breakthrough T1D, a global organization focused on type 1 diabetes research and advocacy, to intensify the longstanding Fr1da-Cohort-Study. The…

A new European research initiative, CarePath, has launched with the goal of helping people with long-term health conditions manage their treatment more effectively and comfortably. By offering personalized tools and support, the project aims to…

Many people with cancer experience dramatic loss of muscle and fat tissue. In many cases, even the heart muscle is affected, which further weakens the body. This wasting syndrome, known as cachexia, affects around half of all cancer patients. It is a…

The medical treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes is currently undergoing a significant transformation. Innovative drugs such as semaglutide and tirzepatide – often referred to as "weight-loss injections" – mimic the action of specific gut…

Leipziger Wissenschaftspreis 2025 für Antje Körner

Professor Antje Körner has been awarded the Leipzig Science Award 2025. The prize, endowed with €10,000, recognizes her research in the field of childhood obesity and metabolic diseases. The award ceremony took place during a formal event at Leipzig…

The Copenhagen Declaration developed by the Global Diabetes Forum outlines a new vision for combating the global type 2 diabetes epidemic. More than 50 experts from industrialized and emerging countries are calling for far-reaching changes in…

3D representation of insulin protein structure illuminated with a blue glow on a black background_AdobeStock_1073210391

At this year’s Congress of the German Diabetes Association (DDG), three researchers from Helmholtz Munich were honored for their outstanding scientific achievements. Their groundbreaking work is helping to advance the understanding, prevention, and…

Helmholtz Munich has been awarded a prestigious grant from Breakthrough T1D, a leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization, to enhance the effectiveness of stem cell-derived islet transplantation for T1D. By integrating…

Starting May 1, 2025, the pioneering study “Fr1da” for early detection of type 1 diabetes will expand into the German states of Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate. Pediatric practices in these regions will then be able to offer families with children…

Drugs that bind to and activate the receptors for the hormones GLP-1 and GIP are effective in the treatment of obesity and diabetes. Surprisingly, active substances are currently being developed that not only activate the GIP receptor (agonists) but…

floor scales and tape measure on a colored background top view. Healthy lifestyle concept, healthy eating. Body weight control.

In line with World Obesity Day, the Helmholtz Munich information portal diabinfo.de now provides comprehensive new information on obesity. In addition to content on the prevalence, risk factors, causes, and diagnosis of obesity, the portal also…

Helmholtz Munich has successfully secured funding from the third DZG innovation fund for "Inter-Organ Metabolomics". Led by Dr. Maria Rohm, an interdisciplinary research team will explore how metabolic byproducts in individuals with severe diseases…

Brain illustration depicting addiction with clouds of junk food floating in a clear sky

Study shows: The brain plays a central role in the development of obesity.

The number of obese persons has grown significantly in recent decades, which presents significant difficulties for those who are impacted, healthcare systems, and those who…

Helmholtz Munich is partnering with Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) in Barcelona, Spain, on a research project aimed at advancing treatments for type 1 diabetes (T1D). Sponsored by the la Caixa Foundation with nearly one million Euros in funding, the…

A new platform, Adiposetissue.org, is set to enhance obesity and metabolism research by centralizing and simplifying access to adipose tissue data. Developed by researchers from Helmholtz Munich, Karolinska Institutet and Steno Diabetes Center…

Bauchspeicheldrüse einer erwachsenen Maus nach chronischem Intervallfasten

A recent study reveals that age plays a significant role in the outcomes of intermittent fasting. Researchers from Helmholtz Munich, the Technical University of Munich (TUM), and LMU Hospital Munich discovered that chronic intermittent fasting…

Artistic representation of stages of human embryonic development emphasizing cell division differentiation organ formation - AdobeStock_917188904

Thanks to a new technology called Moscot (“Multi-Omics Single-Cell Optimal Transport”), researchers can now observe millions of cells simultaneously as they develop into a new organ—for example, a pancreas. This groundbreaking method was developed by…

The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology Commission on Clinical Obesity

A new report of the Commission on Clinical Obesity, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology and endorsed by over 75 medical organizations, has introduced a transformative framework that addresses the limitations of traditional BMI-based…

In 2021, a research team led by Prof. Heiko Lickert from Helmholtz Munich discovered the insulin-inhibitory receptor "Inceptor" and its role as a suppressor of the insulin signaling pathway. Now, the researchers have unlocked another, even more…

gespräch-ärztin-01-institut-fotoshooting-nozy-andreas pfohl-220727_0134

Almost nine million people are living with type 1 diabetes worldwide. Although this disease can be a life-threatening, it often goes unnoticed and is diagnosed too late. Yet type 1 diabetes can be diagnosed early, long before symptoms appear, by a…

Every year on October 3rd, the German broadcaster WDR organizes the event "Doors Open with The Mouse." This year, 770 companies and research institutions across Germany participated, welcoming children and parents under the theme "Working Together."…

The German Research Foundation (DFG) has awarded nearly five million euros to fund a four-year research project on metabolic health, led by the Technical University of Munich (TUM) with significant involvement from Helmholtz Munich. Researchers from…

Rachmiel Levine Award for Anette-Gabriele Ziegler

Prof. Anette-Gabriele Ziegler, Director of the Helmholtz Munich Institute for Diabetes Research, was awarded the 2024 Rachmiel Levine Medal by City of Hope - a prominent biomedical research and treatment institution in the United States, especially…

Experts from the Helmholtz Munich-led Fr1daPlex initiative, the Bavarian Professional Association of Pediatricians (BVKJ), and PaedNetz Bayern e.V. have published a new position paper providing a detailed evaluation of an islet autoantibody screening…

We Fight Diabetes!

Discovering Future Health.

We Fight Diabetes!

Discovering Future Health.

Diabetes Research at Helmholtz Munich

One-Hour Blood Glucose Level: A Better Chance to Prevent Diabetes

New Milestone Towards Personalized Prevention of Type 1 Diabetes

Maternal Type 1 Diabetes May Protect Children Through Epigenetic Changes

Anette-Gabriele Ziegler Receives Hamm International Prize for Diabetes Research

Diabetes and Liver Health in Focus at the 12th Helmholtz Diabetes Conference

Helmholtz Munich Expert Hour at the German Bundestag: The Future of Preventive Medicine

Fr1da-Cohort-Study Receives Grant to Facilitate the Integration of Early-Stage Type 1 Diabetes Screening Into Standard Care

CarePath: Helmholtz Munich Joins EU Project to Support People With Chronic Conditions

Cancer Cachexia: Liver Identified as Driver of Body Wasting

diabinfo in Dialogue: Obesity and Diabetes – Evolving Approaches to Prevention and Treatment

Leipzig Science Award 2025 for Antje Körner

Copenhagen Declaration: A New Start in Diabetes Prevention

DDG Recognizes Three Researchers from Helmholtz Munich

Helmholtz Munich Receives Grant to Improve Stem Cell Islet Transplants for Type 1 Diabetes

Early Detection of Type 1 Diabetes in Children: From May 2025 also available in Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate

GIP Receptor: Activation and Blockade Support Weight Loss

diabinfo.de Expands Its Information Offerings on Obesity

Inter-Organ Metabolomics: Helmholtz Munich Explores New Metabolic Mechanisms

Obesity Starts in the Brain

Helmholtz Munich Receives Funding from la Caixa Foundation to Develop Regenerative Diabetes Therapy

New Knowledge Portal Adiposetissue.org Enhances Obesity and Metabolism Research with Centralized Data

Intermittent Fasting Could Be Unsafe for Teenagers

AI in Cell Research: Moscot Reveals Cell Dynamics in Unprecedented Detail

Re-Defining Obesity as a Disease

Inceptor Regulates Insulin Homeostasis: A New Approach for Diabetes Therapies

World Diabetes Day on November 14: Focus On Education and Early Detection of Diabetes

Helmholtz Munich Opened Its Doors for "The Mouse"

DFG Funds HyperMet

Anette-Gabriele Ziegler Awarded Prestigious Rachmiel Levine Medal

Early Detection of Type 1 Diabetes: New Position Paper Published