About the Institutes of Epidemiology
The main aim of Epidemiology at the Helmholtz Zentrum München is to examine the role of environmental factors and genetic predisposition on human health by the use of epidemiological methods. Research is conducted in cooperation with the Institute of Medical Information Processing, Biometrics and Epidemiology at Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich.
Until the end of 2010 Epidemiology was organized in one institute. Since 2011 the following four separate institutes have been formed, which are closely collaborating under the roof of the Department of Epidemiology (under construction).
Institute of Epidemiology I: This institute conducts research into the significance of environmental and lifestyle factors, genetic constitution and metabolism in the development and progression of respiratory diseases (COPD, asthma), allergic skin diseases, metabolic diseases (type 2 diabetes, obesity etc.) and specific cancers (e.g. lung cancer). For this purpose, the institute uses the data and biological samples from existing child cohorts (GINI and LISA) and the KORA study, and is in charge of the planning of the German National Cohort, a new large cohort study of adults in this country.
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Institute of Epidemiology II: This institute conducts research into the role of the environment and lifestyle in the development of diabetes, heart disease and mental illness. To that end, genetic predisposition and molecular markers are taken into account. Our research is based on the unique resources of the KORA cohort, the KORA Myocardial Infarction Registry and KORA Aerosol Measurement Station. Follow-up studies within the cohort enable early forms of specific chronic diseases and their incidence to be defined. Only recently the KORA research platform module was added to determine the health status of the older population.
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Institute of Genetic Epidemiology: The Institute of Genetic Epidemiology is concerned with genetic statistics. Its remit encompasses the planning, execution and evaluation of gene mapping projects related to complex diseases as well as the development and implementation of new statistical procedures. The aim of the institute is to illuminate the genetics of complex diseases. Activities extend to genome-wide association studies (GWAS) as well as to coupling analyses (family studies) relating to a wide range of diseases. The emphasis is on phenotypes that are examined as part of the population-based KORA cohort study. The Institute of Genetic Epidemiology houses the KORA-gen platform. This database contains extensive genotype data as well as metabolite, methylation and expression profiles of the KORA cohort. The platform provides access to genotype and phenotype data as well as to biosamples for collaborative research projects.
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Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology: The aim of this unaffiliated Reserch Unit is to decipher the molecular mechanisms of complex diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, atopic eczema, lung cancer or obesity. The department is located in the Genome Analysis Centre of the Helmholtz Zentrum München where the latest techniques in genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and functional analysis are established. We apply these methods to our population-based child and adult cohorts (KORA, GINI, LISA) as well as to special case studies relating to specific diseases. In addition, the department is responsible for the biosample repository of the Department of Epidemiology, which houses DNA, RNA, serum, plasma and urine samples as well as immortalised cell lines. Furthermore, it will be responsible for the administration and storage of samples for the German National Cohort.
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