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Dr. Gencer Sancar is a Senior Scientist at the Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases (IDM) in Tübingen, part of Helmholtz Munich. His research focuses on adipose tissue dysfunction and its role in insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, aiming to translate molecular insights into therapeutic strategies. Education : PhD in Biochemistry, Heidelberg University (2007-2011) M.Sc., Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center Dr. Sancar's work investigates molecular regulators like the FGF1/PDE4D axis and p21-activated kinases (PAKs) in metabolic diseases. His team uses advanced in vivo models, human primary adipocytes, and biosensors to uncover mechanisms linking adipose signaling to systemic glucose and lipid balance. Publications highlight his expertise in adipose-organ crosstalk, incretin-responsive organoids, and novel therapeutic targets. Recent articles in Molecular Metabolism and Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology demonstrate his translational approach bridging basic science with clinical applications. Scientific Awards : DFG Individual Grant (2026) DZD Research Fellowships (2024-2026, 2025-2027) DDG Research Fellowships (2023, 2024) DFG Postdoctoral Fellowship in US (2016-2019) He maintains collaborations across the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Helmholtz Munich, and international institutions, particularly with Prof. Ronald M. Evans at the Salk Institute. His research spans molecular mechanisms to human pathophysiology, emphasizing therapeutic translation.

• Adipose tissue dysfunction
• Insulin resistance
• Type 2 diabetes
• +3 more

Prof. Norbert Stefan is a Full Professor at the University of Tübingen's Department of Internal Medicine IV, specializing in clinical and experimental diabetology. His work focuses on metabolic health in obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and hepatokine research. Pioneered metabolic phenotyping studies in the Tübingen Lifestyle Intervention Program (TULIP) Conducted seminal NIH/NIDDK research on adiponectin's role in insulin resistance in Pima Indian populations Developed the concept of hepatokines in 2008 with his colleagues His 2025 publications span GLP-1 receptor agonists' effects on liver fibrosis, SGLT2 inhibitors' impact on liver events, and precision medicine approaches for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Current research integrates urinary peptidomics, brain insulin action studies, and advanced visceral fat quantification techniques. Scientific Awards Innovation Award of the German Society for University Medicine (2010) Heisenberg-Professorship for Clinical and Experimental Diabetology (2011) Editorial Board Member, The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology (2015) Senior Associate Editor, Diabetes (2021) Stefan maintains collaborative networks with Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, the NIH, and consortia like SOPHIA IMI EU Consortium and the German Center for Diabetes Research.

• Metabolic Health in Obesity
• Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
• Hepatokine Research
• +5 more

Professor Stefan R. Bornstein serves at the Technical University of Dresden's Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital within Medical Clinic and Polyclinic III. He leads multiple German Research Foundation (DFG)-funded projects focusing on adrenal function, metabolic diseases, and immunological mechanisms, with particular expertise in sepsis-related adrenal dysfunction and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Dr. Bornstein's research centers on endocrine-immunological interactions, examining how the adrenal gland functions as a central regulatory organ in health and disease. His work spans molecular mechanisms of intra-adrenal regulation, immune responses in sepsis, and metabolic drivers of infection susceptibility, with significant translational potential for treating adrenal insufficiency and obesity-related conditions. As speaker of International Research Training Groups RTG 2251 and RTG 3019, he directs collaborative research on immunological strategies for metabolic diseases and infection susceptibility. His Transregio project TRR 205 investigates the adrenal gland's role as a central relay in physiological regulation, while his sub-project management in Transregio initiatives focuses on adrenal stem cells and biological replacement therapies. Dr. Bornstein has secured substantial research funding through multiple DFG projects including investigations into regulated cell death in adrenal inflammation, xenogeneic cell transplantation for adrenal insufficiency, and the microenvironment of the adrenal gland in health and disease. His earlier work established important connections between adipose tissue, aldosterone regulation, and hypertension. His laboratory employs advanced model systems to study adrenal physiology across molecular, cellular, and systemic levels, with particular focus on therapeutic interventions for sepsis-induced adrenal dysfunction and stem cell-based approaches for endocrine disorders.

• Endocrinology
• Adrenal Gland Research
• Immunology
• +6 more

Prof. Rainer Lehmann serves as Principal Investigator at the Helmholtz Diabetes Center within the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), holding a professorship in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Tübingen. He directs the Clinical Chemistry Lab, focusing on translational research in metabolic disorders through advanced biochemical analytics. His research program centers on diabetes pathophysiology and metabolic disease mechanisms, utilizing cutting-edge metabolomics and lipidomics to identify diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Key investigations explore bariatric surgery outcomes, exercise-induced metabolic adaptations, and sex-specific diagnostic patterns in prediabetes, emphasizing personalized intervention strategies for at-risk populations. Analysis of his 2021-2025 publications reveals consistent leadership in multicenter studies examining metabolic surgery benefits, urine-based biomarker discovery, and mitochondrial adaptations to lifestyle interventions. His work demonstrates strong collaboration across the DZD network, particularly in elucidating subphenotype-specific responses to diabetes prevention strategies. As head of the Clinical Chemistry Lab, Lehmann drives innovation in preanalytical sample handling and metabolite profiling, contributing to standardized protocols for clinical lipidomics and metabolomics research within the German diabetes research community.

• Diabetes Research
• Metabolic Diseases
• Clinical Chemistry
• +4 more

Dr. Maria Rohm serves as Head of the Research Division 'Tissue Crosstalk' at the Institute for Diabetes and Cancer, Helmholtz Munich, leading investigations into metabolic disease interconnections since 2020. Previously a Junior Group Leader (2017-2020), her career includes postdoctoral research at the University of Oxford (2014-2017) under a Novo Nordisk Fellowship and the German Cancer Research Center (2012-2014). Her educational foundation comprises Biology studies at Heidelberg University and the University of Manchester, culminating in a Dr. rer. nat. from Heidelberg in 2012 where she examined adipose tissue lipolysis in obesity. Rohm's research centers on tissue crosstalk mechanisms in diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cancer cachexia, emphasizing lipid/glucose metabolism and adipose tissue function. She pioneers the conceptual framework that obesity/diabetes and cachexia represent opposing metabolic extremes requiring integrated study, with particular focus on ceramide signaling, mitochondrial dysfunction, and energy homeostasis disruptions in disease pathogenesis. Her multi-omics approach reveals critical overlaps in disease pathways that could transform therapeutic development. Publication analysis shows consistent focus on metabolic reprogramming across cancer cachexia and diabetes, with emerging emphasis on lipid mediators as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Key trends include translational exploration of AMPK-stabilizing peptides and ceramide modifications for treating tissue wasting. Her scientific recognition includes: Vincenz-Czerny Price for Oncology (2021) ERC Starting Grant (2020) Lipidology Prize (2019) Research Award by German Diabetes Society (2013) Rohm directs significant grant-funded research, notably the ERC Starting Grant investigating metabolic crosstalk in cachexia. As Board of Directors and Educational Committee member of the Cancer Cachexia Society, she drives global research initiatives for this fatal condition affecting most cancer patients. Her advocacy highlights the urgent need for mechanistic understanding to develop effective treatments. She leads the 'Tissue Crosstalk in Cancer Metabolism' research group at Helmholtz Munich, employing multi-omics and mouse models to dissect metabolic communication between organs. Her team collaborates extensively within European research networks, with emphasis on translating basic discoveries into clinical applications for metabolic diseases and cancer-associated wasting syndromes.

• Lipid Metabolism
• Cachexia
• Adipose Tissue
• +5 more

Jesmond Dalli is Professor in Molecular Pharmacology at the William Harvey Research Institute , part of Queen Mary University of London , where he has served as Lipid Mediator Unit Director since 2015. His research focuses on lipid mediator biology , particularly specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) in inflammation, with applications spanning cardiovascular disease , arthritis , neuroinflammation , and HIV . Education : PhD in Biochemical Pharmacology (2005-2009), Queen Mary University of London His work systematically explores pro-resolving pharmacology across acute and chronic inflammation models, including diabetes , obesity , and traumatic brain injury . Articles demonstrate expertise in LC-MS/MS lipid mediator profiling , immune cell metabolism , and translational immunology . Scientific Awards : Sir Henry Dale Fellowship (Royal Society & Wellcome Trust) As Lipid Mediator Unit Director , he leads multidisciplinary studies integrating mass spectrometry platforms , cellular models , and animal models to dissect lipid mediator pathways in disease contexts.

• Lipid Mediator Research
• Inflammation Resolution
• Molecular Pharmacology
• +7 more

Dr. Pamela Nono Nankam serves as a Post-Doctoral Researcher at the Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG) of the Helmholtz Zentrum München, located within the University Hospital Leipzig at the University of Leipzig's Faculty of Medicine. She leads research within Matthias Blüher's Clinical Obesity Research Group, focusing on translational approaches to metabolic disorders. Her academic foundation includes: Bachelor and Master of Sciences in Animal Physiology from the University of Dschang, Cameroon PhD in Human Biology from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, supported by NRF-TWAS and DAAD fellowships Dr. Nankam's research centers on adipose tissue dysfunction mechanisms, particularly in lipedema and obesity. She pioneers single-cell/nuclei investigations of human adipose tissue across diverse fat distributions, while identifying novel circulating biomarkers for early disease detection. Her work bridges basic science with clinical applications to develop personalized treatment frameworks. Analysis of her recent publications reveals dominant themes in adipose tissue heterogeneity, with increasing focus on lipedema pathophysiology and ethnic-specific metabolic responses. The integration of single-cell sequencing with clinical phenotyping represents a significant methodological evolution in her research trajectory. Her scientific contributions have earned recognition through: Science Prize Award of the Lipedema Society e.V. (2023) Proof of Concept Award from the Lipedema Foundation (2022) DAAD Research Grant for doctoral studies (2018) NRF-TWAS Doctoral Fellowship (2016) Funding for her work includes an active grant from the Lipedema Foundation (USA) supporting biomarker discovery in lipedema. She maintains strategic collaborations through the German Lipedema Society and European Association for the Study of Diabetes, with research directly informing clinical practice improvements. Within HI-MAG's infrastructure, she directs single-cell genomics workflows for adipose tissue characterization while contributing to the Clinical Obesity Research Group's mission of transforming diagnostic paradigms for metabolic disorders through mechanistic insights.

• Clinical Obesity Research
• Adipose Tissue Biology
• Mechanisms of Fat Distribution
• +4 more

Dr. Estela Lorza Gil is a Senior Scientist and Group Leader at the Helmholtz Diabetes Center, University of Tübingen, Medical Faculty. Her research focuses on pancreatic islet biology, metabolic diseases, and inter-organ communication in diabetes pathophysiology. Education: PhD in Molecular and Functional Biology (2006-2011) B.S. in Biological Sciences Research Interests: Investigating islet-adipose tissue interactions Developing human organoid models for diabetes research Elucidating mechanisms of beta cell dysfunction Studying free fatty acid receptor signaling in islets Analyzing metabolic-inflammatory crosstalk in T2D Characterizing pancreatic fat cell activity Publications: Recent work explores incretin-responsive organoids, inter-organ communication in diabetes, and receptor signaling pathways in islet function. Her research spans molecular metabolism, beta cell physiology, and translational diabetes models. Awards: DZD Award (2019) Appointments: 2022: Senior Scientist, Helmholtz Diabetes Center 2017-2022: Postdoctoral Researcher

• Diabetes Research
• Pancreatic Islet Biology
• Metabolic Diseases
• +3 more

Professor Berend Isermann is a Professor of Laboratory Medicine at Leipzig University, affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine. He leads research into thrombo-inflammation mechanisms, focusing on molecular pathways linking coagulation and inflammation in diseases such as diabetes, kidney failure, and cardiovascular conditions. His work has earned prestigious recognition, including the ERC Advanced Grant (2024) for a project investigating molecular switches in thrombo-inflammation. Education: Studied medicine at Würzburg (Germany), Bristol (UK), and New Haven (USA). Completed specialist training in internal medicine, endocrinology, and laboratory medicine at Heidelberg University Hospital. Previously held professorships at the Universities of Magdeburg (2011–2019) and Leipzig (2019–present). Research interests center on understanding how thrombo-inflammation drives diseases like preeclampsia, chronic kidney disease, and complications from infections like COVID-19. Key projects include studying tissue factor’s role in inflammation-coagulation cross-talk, microglial-brain interactions in chronic kidney disease, and developing therapies targeting molecular switches. Scientific achievements include discovering tissue factor’s complex with inflammatory regulators, published in high-impact journals, and advancing methods to measure thrombo-inflammatory biomarkers. His interdisciplinary team at Leipzig Medical Center explores therapeutic strategies to control thrombo-inflammation across multiple organ systems. Awards: ERC Advanced Grant (2024) valued at €2.5 million for five years of research into molecular mechanisms of thrombo-inflammation. Grants and collaborations: ERC-funded project involves analyzing molecular switches in heart disease, obesity, and cancer models. His work bridges basic science and clinical translation, with a focus on kidney-brain interactions and diet-based interventions like the green-Mediterranean diet’s epigenetic effects. Labs/Teams: Leads a cross-departmental team at Leipzig University Medical Center integrating immunology, nephrology, and cardiology research. Collaborates on projects involving placental thrombo-inflammation, anticoagulant drug effects, and machine learning applications in diagnostics.

• Thrombo-inflammation
• Molecular Biology
• Immunology
• +4 more

Dr. Emiel van der Vorst is a cardiovascular researcher focusing on atherosclerosis, immunometabolism, and translational medicine . His work spans molecular mechanisms, therapeutic targeting, and omics-based approaches. Affiliation: Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR) Research Focus: Chemokine signaling, microRNA therapeutics, immune-metabolic interactions Research Trends: Recent publications highlight his exploration of microRNA-26b in metabolic liver disease GPR55 receptor in cardiomyocyte adaptation calcium-sensing receptor in sex-specific atherosclerosis aryl hydrocarbon receptor in gut-liver-cardiovascular axis His work integrates nanomedicine, genetic models, and clinical biomarker development .

• Cardiovascular Research
• Atherosclerosis
• Immunology
• +6 more

Lydia Sorokin is a Professor at the Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry within the University of Münster , Germany. She serves as Spokesperson for the Cells in Motion Interfaculty Centre and actively contributes to the Imaging Network and CiM-IMPRS graduate program . Research Focus: Cell-matrix interactions, leukocyte extravasation, blood vessel biology, secondary lymphoid organs, and neuroinflammatory processes. Key Contributions: Elucidating laminin functions in vascular integrity, neuroinflammatory disease mechanisms, and extracellular matrix regulation of immune cell migration. Publication Trends: Recent studies (2022-2024) explore CNS macrophage heterogeneity , endothelial-laminin interactions , and neurovascular unit dysfunction in diseases like multiple sclerosis and cerebral small vessel disease. Earlier work (2012-2020) established roles for laminins and matrix metalloproteinases in blood-brain barrier regulation, immune cell trafficking, and tissue-specific matrix responses. Collaborations & Networks: Active in Cells in Motion , Imaging Network , and CiM-IMPRS graduate program. Collaborates with institutions across Europe on neurovascular and immunology research. Contact: sorokin@uni-muenster.de

• cell-matrix interactions
• leukocyte extravasation
• blood vessels
• +4 more

Prof. Alexander Bartelt is a Professor at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), holding the Chair of Translational Nutritional Medicine at the TUM School of Life Sciences since 2024. He is also a research group leader at the Helmholtz Diabetes Center and affiliated with the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) and German Center for Cardiovascular Diseases (DZHK). His research focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying metabolic diseases, lipid metabolism, and adipose tissue biology. Education: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology studies at the University of Hamburg Doctorate (summa cum laude) at University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (2010) Research Interests: Molecular basis of metabolism, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and the role of nutrition in metabolic regulation. His work emphasizes metabolic adaptation to stress factors and the interplay between lipid metabolism and immune responses. Awards: ERC Starting Grant (2019) Friedmund Neumann Prize (2018) ISSFAL Early Career Award (2014) Grants & Labs: Recipient of DFG grants and international funding. Active in collaborative projects on brown fat thermogenesis and lipid metabolism. His lab integrates molecular biology, systems biology, and translational approaches to combat metabolic disorders.

• Metabolic Diseases
• Lipid Metabolism
• Obesity
• +6 more

Fahd Al-Mulla is a Professor of Molecular Pathology and Genomic Medicine at Kuwait University, with a dual role as Chief Scientific Officer at Dasman Diabetes Institute. He established two research laboratories at Kuwait University, including a large core facility serving over 600 academics and students. His work bridges molecular pathology and genomic medicine to address metabolic diseases. Research Interests focus on: Metabolic paradigms in cancer and diabetes Inflammatory signaling pathways (e.g., NF-κB, TNFα) Adipose tissue dysfunction in obesity Molecular mechanisms of diabesity SARS-CoV-2 spike protein interactions Caveolin-1 polymorphisms and metabolic diseases Publications highlight his expertise in inflammation, obesity, and molecular disease models. He collaborates extensively, with recent work on ANGPTL8 variants and cardio-metabolic disease relationships. Editorial Contributions include a review editor role for Clinical Diabetes and Frontiers in Endocrinology .

• Molecular Pathology
• Genomic Medicine
• Cancer Metabolism
• +5 more

Professor Aline Bozec leads the Osteoimmunology research group at the Department of Medicine 3 Research. Her work focuses on cellular and molecular mechanisms linking immune dysfunction to bone pathologies in rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and cancer metastasis, utilizing advanced in vitro and in vivo models. Current projects investigate HIF-1α's role in B cell metabolism and intestinal barrier integrity Explore estrogen's dual impact on immune regulation and bone loss Characterize eosinophil subtypes for arthritis resolution Key research themes include: Transcriptional regulation by AP-1 and HIFs in immune cells CLR-dependent myeloid cell activation Hypoxia-driven metabolic reprogramming Scientific contributions span 15 publications (2022-2024) with cross-disciplinary impact on immunology, rheumatology, and oncology. Major grants include: ERC Consolidator Grant (2021-2026) DFG Collaborative Research Center TRR 369 DIONE (2024-2027) DFG Research Group GRK 2740 (2022-2027) Her team of 15+ trainees includes scientific/medical doctoral candidates, master students, and postdoctoral researchers working on: Cell death signaling in osteocytes Metabolic regulation of plasmacyte function Microbiome-bone axis

• Osteoimmunology
• Bone Metabolism
• Autoimmune Diseases
• +7 more

Felicia Gerst is a Senior Scientist at the Helmholtz Diabetes Center and the Institute for Diabetes and Obesity (IDM). She earned her Habilitation at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Tübingen, in 2019, following postdoctoral and doctoral fellowships at the University Hospital Tübingen and the Graduate School GRK1302/2. Her research focuses on beta-cell biology, insulin secretion, and the interplay between pancreatic adipose tissue and metabolic diseases. Education & Career Habilitation (2019), Faculty of Medicine, University of Tübingen Postdoctoral Fellow (2007–2019), Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Tübingen Doctoral Fellow (2004–2007), Institute of Physiology, University of Tübingen Dr. Gerst's research spans beta-cell function , insulin secretion dynamics , and pancreatic fat cell activity in health and disease. Her work integrates endocrinology , molecular biology , and diabetes pathophysiology , with recent studies exploring incretin-responsive organoids and free fatty acid receptor mechanisms. Her publications highlight trends in pancreatic adiposity , islet-adipose interactions , and hepatokine signaling in beta-cell dysfunction. Awards include the HUMAIN Award (InSphero, Switzerland) for functional organoid models. Scientific Awards HUMAIN Award (InSphero, Switzerland) Dr. Gerst leads the Islet Facility , contributing to networks like the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) and European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). Grants include DDG Grant (2023) and DZD Grant (2018–2019) .

• Beta-cell biology
• Insulin secretion
• Human islets
• +3 more