Tübingen, 13.12.2021

Overweight or obesity, an unfavorable distribution of fat in the body and the development of type 2 diabetes are often associated with a reduced effect of the hormone insulin in many organs, including the brain (insulin resistance). So far there is no treatment to restore insulin sensitivity in the brain, which plays a key role in metabolic control. Researchers of the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), the departments of Internal Medicine IV (Director: Prof. Andreas Birkenfeld) and Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry (Director: Prof. Andreas Peter) of Tübingen University Hospital and the Institute of Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases (IDM) at Helmholtz Munich have now shown for the first time that the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin can be used to treat insulin resistance in the brain – with positive effects on the metabolism of the entire body. This study has now been published in ‘Diabetes Care’.

Tübingen, 08.12.2021

Intensive lifestyle intervention with plenty of exercise helps people with prediabetes improve their blood glucose levels over a period of years and thus delay or even prevent type 2 diabetes. In particular, individuals with prediabetes at highest risk benefited from intensive lifestyle intervention. This is shown by the evaluation of the Prediabetes Lifestyle Intervention Study (PLIS) of the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), which was conducted at 8 sites of the center throughout Germany. The results have now been published in the journal ‘Diabetes’.

Tübingen, 08.12.2021

Exercise not only trains the muscles but can also prevent the development of fatty liver. A new study by the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Helmholtz Munich and Tübingen University Hospital shows which molecular adaptations, in particular of the liver mitochondria, can be observed in this process. The study has now been published in ‘Molecular Metabolism’.

Neuherberg, 29.11.2021

At the DZD Diabetes Research School of the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) international diabetes experts informed more than 250 young scientists about the latest developments in diabetes research. The online event took place in October.

Düsseldorf, 26.11.2021

This year marked the 30th anniversary of World Diabetes Day. In the course of this event, not only was a health market opened in Düsseldorf with illumination of important monuments, but the German Diabetes Center also held a press conference with the Minister of Health of North Rhine-Westphalia to discuss the consequences of and solutions to the increasing diabetes incidence.

Neuherberg, 22.11.2021

Obesity, diabetes and gastrointestinal cancer are frequently linked to an unhealthy diet. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for this are not fully understood. Researchers at Helmholtz Munich have gained some new insights that help to better understand this connection. These findings provide an important basis for the development of non-invasive therapies.

Düsseldorf, 15.11.2021

For her research on the influence of the adipokine omentin on the development of cardiovascular disease in people with diabetes, Dr. Corinna Niersmann, a junior scientist at the DZD partner German Diabetes Center, was awarded the MTZ®award 2021.

Neuherberg / Düsseldorf, 12.11.2021

Just in time for World Diabetes Day, the national diabetes information portal www.diabinfo.de has announced that it has expanded its content offering. In addition to German and Turkish, information for people with diabetes and diabetes prevention is now also available in Polish and, soon, in Russian. In addition, the portal, with its scientifically validated content, will also be aimed at the professional groups of pharmacists and PTAs from November 14.

Potsdam-Rehbrücke, 11.11.2021

How can healthy protein consumption and sustainable protein production be responsibly combined? Can micronutrients in the blood help detect frailty in elderly people at an early stage? And how do the views of others influence personal consumption decisions? The new biennial report of the DZD partner German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke (DIfE) informs in an appealing magazine style about these and selected research highlights as well as the diverse activities of the institute in 2019 and 2020.

Wiesbaden / Potsdam-Rehbrücke, 05.11.2021

The German Obesity Society (DAG) has awarded the DAG Medal 2021 to Professor Annette Schürmann. With this honor, the DAG recognized her many achievements in obesity research. The DAG presented the award at its annual meeting on November 5th.

Düsseldorf, 04.11.2021

The clinical scientist Dr. Zaharia has investigated a new classification of diabetes into subgroups and their different risks of concomitant and secondary diseases. For these achievements and a new project on the role of adipose tissue, she has received the EASD Rising Star Award.

Tübingen, 03.11.2021

In the human brain, the hormone insulin also acts on the most important neurotransmitter for the reward system, dopamine. This was shown by researchers from the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) in Tübingen. Insulin lowers the dopamine level in a specific region of the brain (striatum *) that regulates reward processes and cognitive functions, among other things. This interaction can be an important driver of the brain’s regulation of glucose metabolism and eating behavior. The study has now been published in ‘The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism’.

Düsseldorf, 19.10.2021

For his outstanding scientific achievements, Prof. Dr. Michael Roden, scientific director and executive board member of the German Diabetes Center (DDZ) and head of the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology at Düsseldorf University Hospital, was awarded honorary membership of the Hungarian Diabetes Association. An overview.

Berlin / Neuherberg, 18.10.2021

The right therapy for the right patient group at the right time - that is what precision medicine makes possible. In the current issue of the DZG magazine SYNERGIE, the German Centers for Health Research (DZG) show how the widespread diseases cancer, dementia, diabetes, infections as well as cardiovascular and lung diseases can be treated more precisely or even prevented through personally tailored therapies. The current issue can also be read in the redesigned online version of the magazine at https://dzg-magazin.de.

Potsdam-Rehbrücke, 15.10.2021

Up to now, a reliable risk assessment for cardiovascular diseases has required medical examinations – for example, blood pressure measurement or blood lipid analysis - and thus a visit to a doctor's office. A team led by Dr. Catarina Schiborn and Professor Matthias Schulze of the German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke (DIfE), in cooperation with the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg, has now developed a prediction model that can be used to easily and precisely determine a person's risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke within the next ten years, even without visiting a doctor. The model can also be used to make recommendations on how to reduce an individual's risk of developing the disease. The researchers have now presented their findings in 'Scientific Reports'.

Tübingen, 11.10.2021

Type 2 diabetes can be diagnosed with a whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. This is shown by a current study by researchers from the German Center for Diabetes Research, the Institute of Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of Helmholtz Zentrum München at the University of Tübingen, the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems and Tübingen University Hospital. They used deep learning methods* and data from more than 2000 MRIs to identify patients with (pre-) diabetes. The results have now been published in the journal 'JCI Insight'.

Düsseldorf, 29.09.2021

Regular physical activity in the form of sports is an important cornerstone of health and well-being. A new study by the German Diabetes Center has now found that targeted muscle work and the effect of the hormone insulin for people with diabetes are much more closely linked than previously assumed.

Dresden, 14.09.2021

Pancreatic beta cells produce, store and secrete insulin upon elevated blood glucose levels. However, the highly regulated process of insulin secretion, especially its molecular features and the stimuli behind this process have not yet been fully understood. Furthermore, the current understanding of beta cell function is mostly derived from studies of ex vivo isolated islets in rodent models. To overcome this translational gap and to study insulin secretory granule turnover in vivo, a national research team under the lead of scientists from the Paul Langerhans Institute of the Helmholtz Zentrum München at the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus and Faculty of Medicine of TU Dresden (PLID) and the LMU Munich has generated a transgenic pig model allowing for the first time the in vivo fluorescent labeling of age-distinct insulin secretory granule pools, hence providing a close-to-life readout of insulin turnover in normoglycemic conditions.

Düsseldorf, 13.09.2021

With the new classification of diabetes subtypes, diabetology is on the path to precision medicine. Nevertheless, many areas remain unexplored. For example, it was previously unknown how immune cells differ in the respective subtypes. A new study by the Ger-man Diabetes Center has now investigated this specific question and discovered poten-tial for the future.

Neuherberg, 03.09.2021

The German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) has published its 2020 Annual Report. On 64 pages, the DZD not only presents current figures, data, and facts but also provides information about the latest developments in translational diabetes research. A primary focus is the promotion of young talent.

Potsdam-Rehbrücke, 02.09.2021

The German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke (DIfE) inaugurated its new research building with a festive ceremony today. On this occasion, Dr. Birgit Schröder-Smeibidl, Administrative Director of DIfE, welcomed Dr. Manja Schüle, Minister of Science, Research and Culture of the State of Brandenburg, Prof. Dr. Veronika von Messling, Ministerial Director and Head of Department 6 Life Sciences at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Prof. Dr. Matthias Beller, Vice President of the Leibniz Association, and numerous other guests from science and politics. In his keynote speech, Prof. Dr. Tilman Grune, Scientific Director of DIfE, emphasized the importance of the building for the strategic development of DIfE and the continuation of sustainable nutrition research. During a tour and demonstration of a robotic system for handling frozen human biospecimens, the guests were able to get an impression of the new building named after Nobel Prize laureate Gerty Cori.

Düsseldorf, 09.08.2021

A comprehensive study by the DDZ has examined the increase in type 1 and type 2 dia-betes in children and adolescents in the United States. The results show not only in-creasing numbers, but also differences in the population groups. How can America counteract this, and what will U.S. society look like if current trends continue?

Potsdam-Rehbrücke, 02.08.2021

Eating at the wrong time of day disrupts our circadian rhythm and increases the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. The team led by PD Dr. Olga Ramich of DIfE, Professor Achim Kramer and Professor Andreas F. H. Pfeiffer of Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin provides initial explanations for this phenomenon in a new study. The researchers have shown for the first time in human samples that insulin can influence the circadian clock of adipose tissue. The results were published in the journal 'Diabetes'.

Tübingen, 26.07.2021

The determination of the HbA1c value is not suitable for detecting gestational diabetes. This was the result of a study by the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) within the framework of the German Pregnancy Diabetes Study (PREG Study).

Neuherberg, 11.07.2021

Researchers revealed how non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can develop into a life-threatening complication. Their discovery will accelerate the search for therapeutic solutions. The study was led by Helmholtz Zentrum München in collaboration with the Heidelberg University Hospital and the German Center for Diabetes Research.

Düsseldorf, 07.07.2021

Following the evaluation, the Senate of the Leibniz Association recommended the con-tinued funding of the German Diabetes Center (DDZ). The Center in Düsseldorf received a positive evaluation in recognition of its combination of basic research with clinical and care-related research as well as its wide range of collaborations and expertise for clinical studies.

Dresden, 30.06.2021

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) defines a cluster of complex pathological states characterized by persistent hyperglycemia, often leading to cardiovascular complications, kidney failure, retinopathy and neuropathies. Affecting more than 450 million people, with rising incidence rates over the past decades, this syndrome is a major threat for public health and society globally. However, existing studies do not sufficiently describe the molecular changes of pancreatic islet beta cells leading to their deficient insulin secretion. Now, an international research team led by investigators at the Paul Langerhans Institute of the Helmholtz Zentrum München at the University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus of TU Dresden, the SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, and the Max-Planck-Institute of Biochemistry addressed this deficiency with a comprehensive multi-omics analysis of metabolically profiled pancreatectomized living human donors stratified along the glycemic continuum from normoglycemia to T2D. The outcome of this highly collaborative project has now been published in the renowned journal “Nature Metabolism (Nat Metab)”.

Potsdam-Rehbrücke, 28.06.2021

Stiffened and narrowed arteries increase the risk of cardiovascular disease – the most common cause of death in Germany. A new epidemiological study by the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) and the German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke (DIfE) now shows that reduced vascular elasticity is associated with an increased concentration of glycated reaction products, so-called advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) in the skin, both in people with diabetes and in people without this glucose metabolism disorder.

Neuherberg, 24.06.2021

Scientists from Helmholtz Zentrum München revise the current textbook knowledge about gastrulation, the formation of the basic body plan during embryonic development. Their study in mice has implications for cell replacement strategies and cancer research.

Neuherberg, 15.06.2021

Researchers have succeeded for the first time in demonstrating the role of hypothalamic astrocytes in obesity-related hypertension. In addition, they showed that the hormone leptin is involved in the increase of blood vessels in the hypothalamus of obese mice, contributing of hypertension. Helmholtz Zentrum München led the study and collaborated with Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, the Technical University of Munich and the German Diabetes Center.

Düsseldorf, 15.06.2021

The modification of an active ingredient found in cough suppressants not only offers the chance of a new drug on the market, but also the possibility of developing morphine and other opiates without addictive potential in the future. What exactly does this mean? And what are the benefits for those affected?

Düsseldorf, 31.05.2021

Yanislava Karusheva, MD, research associate at the Institute of Clinical Diabetology of the German Diabetes Center is the recipient of the 2021 Sponsorship Award of the German Diabetes Association. She received the award for her dissertation on "The role of branched-chain amino acids in the development and progression of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes".

Neuherberg, 20.05.2021

The Jung Foundation for Science and Research awards Matthias Tschöp with the Ernst Jung Prize for Medicine and honors his groundbreaking research on novel therapeutics for obesity and diabetes. The awards given by the Foundation rank among the highest of their category throughout Europe. Matthias Tschöp is CEO of Helmholtz Zentrum München.

Düsseldorf, 17.05.2021

For his outstanding research on the development of type 2 diabetes and the role of energy metabolism in humans, the German Diabetes Association has awarded the Werner Creutzfeldt Prize 2021 to Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Roden, scientific director and board member of the German Diabetes Center.

Neuherberg, 05.05.2021

The 2021 Paul Langerhans Medal goes to Professor Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Martin Hrabĕ de Angelis. The German Diabetes Association (DDG) thus honors his outstanding achievements in research into the genetic and epigenetic determinants of diabetes mellitus as well as his significant contribution to the foundation and development of the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD).

Neuherberg, 05.05.2021

During its virtual congress (May 12-15, 2021), the German Diabetes Society (DDG) will honor several scientists from the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD). The most prestigious award of the DDG, the Paul Langerhans Medal, will be conferred on Professor Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Martin Hrabĕ de Angelis.

Neuherberg, 04.05.2021

Under the motto "Precision Medicine - a Journey into the Future of Diabetology", the 55th Annual Meeting of the German Diabetes Society (DDG) will take place digitally from May 12th. The German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) is not only organizing four symposia at the congress, but is also presenting its interdisciplinary, translational research as well as its information services in numerous lectures and talks. An important focus of the DZD is on new approaches for precision diabetes therapy and prevention.

Düsseldorf, 28.04.2021

People with diabetes are at increased risk of developing a severe course of COVID-19 compared to people without diabetes. The question to be answered is whether all people with diabetes have an increased risk of severe COVID-19, or whether specific risk factors can also be identified within this group. A new study by DZD researchers has now focused precisely on this question and gained relevant insights.

Tübingen, 26.04.2021

Not everyone who has pre-diabetes with elevated blood glucose levels will go on to develop type 2 diabetes. Robert Wagner of the DZD partner Medical Clinic IV of Tübingen University Hospital has shown that there are six clearly definable subtypes that differ in the development of the disease, the risk of diabetes and the development of secondary diseases. For his findings, he was awarded the Prevention Award 2021 by the German Foundation for Internal Medicine (DSIM) and the German Society for Internal Medicine (DGIM).

Berlin, 14.04.2021

Research at the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) must be further intensified and a ban on advertising for unhealthy children's food should be a binding part of the next coalition agreement. Unfortunately, however, the round table of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) on "Nutrition in Type 2 Diabetes" on April 13th ended without results. Federal Minister Julia Klöckner had invited scientists from the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) as well as representatives of the German Diabetes Society (DDG) and other associations. The DDG and DZD subsequently regret the open outcome and point out how important it is, for example, not only to tentatively regulate the advertising of unhealthy food to children, as recently agreed by the BMEL with The German Advertising Federation (ZAW), but to ban it.

Neuherberg, 08.04.2021

A study by Helmholtz Zentrum München concludes that during the second Corona wave, three to four times more children in Bavaria, Germany were infected with the Corona virus than reported via PCR tests. In addition, the researchers found that about eight times more children had antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 at the end of the second wave in comparison to the end of the first wave. The results are relevant for decision-making on which measures to take to contain the pandemic.

Düsseldorf, 08.04.2021

Chronic inflammation is increasingly a focus of research. A recent study has now identified differences in indicators of inflammation between novel diabetes subgroups. But what does this mean for the future?

Neuherberg, 31.03.2021

The protein Asc-1 regulates whether fat-burning beige or fat-storing white adipocytes are formed, which can have an impact on the development of metabolic diseases. This is shown by a current study of the Helmholtz Zentrum München and the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD). The results open up new approaches to prevent the development of metabolic diseases. The study has now been published in 'Nature Communications'.

Düsseldorf, 19.03.2021

A new study by the German Diabetes Center shows that type 2 diabetes affects the energy metabolism in the human heart muscle. For this study, this year's Karl Oberdisse Award was presented to the scientist Elric Zweck.

Neuherberg, 03.03.2021

This year’s Berthold Medal, the highest recognition of the German Society of Endocrinology (DGE), goes to Professor Matthias Tschöp, who is CEO of Helmholtz Zentrum München and Alexander-von-Humboldt Professor at Technical University of Munich. Tschöp received the Berthold Medal at the 64th annual meeting of the DGE, the German Congress of Endocrinology, in recognition of his scientific achievements.

Düsseldorf, 01.03.2021

The Hans Adolf Krebs Prize was awarded for the 13th time by the German Nutrition Society. This year's prize winner is Yanislava Karusheva, MD, for her study on the influence of branched-chain amino acids on glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetes.

Potsdam-Rehbrücke, 24.02.2021

Young scientist Dr. Maximilian Kleinert joined the German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke (DIfE) at the beginning of the year. Over the next five years, he and his team will investigate the molecular signaling pathways induced by physical activity that are involved in the regulation of glucose metabolism in skeletal muscle. This could help to develop new approaches for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Neuherberg, 10.02.2021

The GIP receptor in the central nervous system plays a crucial role in the regulation of body weight and food intake. This is shown by a recent study by Helmholtz Zentrum München, ETH Zurich and the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD). The study, which has now been published in 'Cell Metabolism', identifies new targets for the development of a drug treatment for obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Berlin, 10.02.2021

Type 2 diabetes is not a disease that develops suddenly. Rather, it usually develops over a period of years from a preliminary stage known as prediabetes. Even if those affected are unaware that they have prediabetes and their blood glucose levels are still below the critical diagnostic threshold, their blood glucose regulation is already slightly impaired in this phase. However, people with prediabetes are not a homogeneous group, as physicians from Tübingen University Hospital, the Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases (IDM) of Helmholtz Zentrum München at the University of Tübingen and the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) show in the journal 'Nature Medicine'. Within the scope of a long-term study, they identified six subtypes of prediabetes that differ significantly in terms of risk factors, disease development and prognosis. According to the German Diabetes Society (DDG) and the DZD, this could result in important approaches for individually adapted preventive and therapeutic measures.

Düsseldorf, 04.02.2021

For the past seven years, DZD scientist PD Dr. Julia Szendrödi has headed the Clinical Study Center at the German Diabetes Center. Now she has accepted a professorship at the University of Heidelberg to take over as Medical Director of the Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetology, Metabolic Diseases and Clinical Chemistry at Heidelberg University Hospital – a further step along the path of her successful scientific career.

Neuherberg, 27.01.2021

Researchers have discovered a novel and druggable insulin inhibitory receptor, named inceptor. The latest study from Helmholtz Zentrum München, the Technical University of Munich and the German Center for Diabetes Research is a significant milestone for diabetes research as the scientific community celebrates 100 years of insulin and 50 years of insulin receptor discovery. The blocking of inceptor function leads to an increased sensitisation of the insulin signaling pathway in pancreatic beta cells. This might allow protection and regeneration of beta cells for diabetes remission.

Potsdam-Rehbrücke, 19.01.2021

Successful weight loss is considered to be an integral part of the therapy for type 2 diabetes. Nevertheless, studies keep appearing that question the importance of losing weight. However, new data from a large-scale observational study carried out at DIfE in cooperation with the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) support the current recommendations of physicians. The findings, published in the journal 'Diabetologia', suggest that obesity and weight gain can lead to vascular disorders, the leading cause of disease and death for people with type 2 diabetes.

Düsseldorf, 18.01.2021

In recent years, air pollutants have been suggested as risk factors for diabetes and its – also mostly obesity-associated – comorbidities. Until now, however, this link has not been investigated for peripheral neuropathy. A new study by the German Diabetes Center (DDZ) and the Helmholtz Zentrum München has explored a possible association of air pollutants and the risk for peripheral neuropathy in humans.

Neuherberg, 10.01.2021

The gut plays a central role in the regulation of the body’s metabolism and its dysfunction is associated with a variety of diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, colitis and colorectal cancer that affect millions of people worldwide. Targeting endocrine dysfunction at an early stage by stimulating the formation of specific enteroendocrine cells from intestinal stem cells could be a promising regenerative approach for diabetes therapy. For this, however, a detailed understanding of the intestinal stem cell lineage hierarchy and the signals regulating the recruitment of the different intestinal cell types is critical.

Tübingen, 04.01.2021

All prediabetes is not the same: in people in the preliminary stages of type 2 diabetes, there are six clearly distinguishable subtypes, which differ in the development of the disease, diabetes risk, and the development of secondary diseases. This is shown in a study by the Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases (IDM) of Helmholtz Zentrum München at the University of Tübingen, Tübingen University Hospital and the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD). The results have now been published in 'Nature Medicine'. The new classification can help in the future to prevent the manifestation of diabetes or the development of diabetes complications through targeted prevention.