As the Senate of the Leibniz Association stated in its recently published opinion, the German Diabetes Center – Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (DDZ) has developed into an internationally recognized reference center for diabetes research. This is due to the significantly increased performance in recent years and an expanded number of patients. According to the Senate, the DDZ has undergone a fundamental scientific reorientation and has developed its overall concept further by emphasizing translational research approaches. Since the reorientation, aspects of basic research have been convincingly linked to topics of clinical-experimental research, which is not least a consequence of the partnership in the DZD.
The Senate also viewed the intensive cooperation of the DDZ with Heinrich Heine University and with Düsseldorf University Hospital as very positive. Furthermore, the Senate welcomed the development of a National Information Center for Diabetes, which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Health, as an essential instrument of the DDZ’s advisory and information mandate, which should be further developed and which should receive long-term funding. Thus, the Senate recommended the continuation of the joint funding of the DDZ.
“We are very pleased with the recommendation of the Senate and about the further funding for seven years. This will enable us to pursue our research goals for improved medical care of people with diabetes, for example within the framework of the German Diabetes Study,” said Prof. Dr. Michael Roden, scientific director of the DDZ.