Alexander Jais

Alexander Jais is a neuroscientist and metabolic researcher leading the Junior Research Group on Diet-Induced Metabolic Alterations at the Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG) in Leipzig, part of Helmholtz Zentrum München. His work focuses on how dietary signals interact with brain circuits to regulate energy balance and metabolic health. He holds a PhD from the Medical University of Vienna (2014) and completed postdoctoral training at the Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research under Prof. Jens Brüning.

Research Interests:
His group studies neurobiological mechanisms linking diet, brain function, and metabolic disease. Key areas include:

• Neuronal circuits regulating appetite and glucose metabolism
• Immunometabolic interactions in obesity
• Blood-brain barrier adaptations to dietary challenges

Grants & Recognition:

• EFSD/Novo Nordisk Future Leaders Program (2022)
• Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) funding

Lab Focus: The Jais-Lab employs advanced neuroscience tools to investigate how chronic overnutrition disrupts brain nutrient signaling pathways, with implications for developing novel therapies targeting metabolic diseases.