Institute of Epidemiology I (EPI I)
Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg (KORA)The Institute of Epidemiology I (EPI I) under Acting Director Dr. Joachim Heinrich studies the importance of environmental and lifestyle factors, genetic constitution and metabolism for type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity, among other diseases. For this research the Institute uses data and biological samples from ongoing children’s cohort studies (GINI and LISA) and the MONICA /KORA study. It plays a leading role in planning the National Cohort, a new, pioneering cohort study of adults in Germany.
Head (acting): Dr. Joachim Heinrich
Link to the website of the Institute of Epidemiology I
Institute of Epidemiology II (EPI II)
The Institute of Epidemiology II (EPI II), headed by Professor Annette Peters, explores the role of environment and lifestyle in the development of diabetes, among other diseases. In particular, genetic predisposition and molecular markers are considered in this context. The Institute's research is based on the unique resources of the KORA cohort, the KORA Myocardial Infarction Registry and the KORA Aerosol Measurement Station. In follow-up studies within the cohort, the researchers will determine early forms of selected chronic diseases and their incidence. Only recently, the KORA research platform was expanded to include new modules for determining health in old age.
Head: Prof. Dr. Annette Peters
Link to the website of the Institute of Epidemiology II
Department of Molecular Epidemiology (AME)
The independent Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology (AME), studies the molecular pathomechanisms of complex diseases such as type 2 diabetes or obesity. The Department is located in the Genome Analysis Center of Helmholtz Zentrum München. Here state-of-the-art methods for genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and functional analyses have been established. AME applies these methods to the population-based children’s and adult cohorts (KORA, GINI, LISA) as well as to special case studies for specific diseases. Furthermore, the Research Unit is responsible for the bio-sample bank of the Department of Epidemiology which contains DNA, RNA and serum, plasma and urine samples as well as immortalized cell lines. In addition, the AME is responsible for managing and storing samples for the national cohort.
Head (acting): Prof. Annette Peters
Link to the website of the Department of Molecular Epidemiology
Institute of Genetic Epidemiology (IGE)
The research focus of the Institute of Genetic Epidemiology (IGE), headed by Professor Konstantin Strauch, is on genetic statistics. This includes the planning, implementation and evaluation of gene mapping projects for complex diseases and the development and implementation of new statistical methods. The aim of the Institute is to contribute to the elucidation of the genetic causes of complex diseases. The activities extend to genome-wide association studies and linkage studies (family studies). The focus is on phenotypes, which are studied in the context of the population-based KORA cohort.
Head: Prof. Dr. Konstantin Strauch
Link to the website of the Institute of Genetic Epidemiology
Institute of Health Economics and Health Care Management (IGM)
The Institute of Health Economics and Health Care Management under the direction of Professor Reiner Leidl explores ways to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of health care. Using empirical methods, questions of economics and socio-economics as well as management on the health care system level, medical technology level and the level of forms of care are studied.
Head: Prof. Reiner Leidl
Link to the website of the Institute of Health Economics and Health Care Management
German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.)
The DZD, the second of six German Centers for Health Research, was founded in June 2009 as a national association with five partner institutions. The members are the German Diabetes Center in Düsseldorf (DDZ), the German Institute of Human Nutrition (DIfE) in Potsdam, the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, the University of Tübingen as well as Helmholtz Zentrum München as coordinating partner. The main office of the association is also located at Helmholtz Zentrum München. The DZD brings together leading experts in the field of diabetes research in Germany and through the synergy of basic research and clinical applications has set itself the goal of promoting and accelerating the translation of new insights into strategies for prevention, diagnostics and therapy.