Research centres

Some sixty scientists and doctors at the Integrated Research and Treatment Centre (IFB) are studying morbid obesity and its secondary conditions, and treating affected patients. The range of issues under investigation at IFB AdiposityDiseases extends from research into psychosocial and genetic factors in obesity and the role of hormones, to approaches to the treatment and prevention of obesity in children, the links between dietary intake and brain activity, and surgical treatment options. The centre also studies and treats accompanying conditions such as type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, adipose tissue disorders, high blood pressure, and fatty liver. Basic and patient-related research and treatment are carried out across different disciplines under one roof, in close collaboration with the University Hospital. This means that new research findings can inform the treatment of obese patients all the sooner. At the same time, patient treatment raises new issues for scientists to explore. The centre receives funding from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

The Leipzig Research Centre for Civilisation Diseases (LIFE) is dedicated to conducting research into civilisation diseases such as depression, diabetes, allergies and cardiovascular diseases. As much data as possible is collated on the health and living conditions of the population of Leipzig and made available on the LIFE data portal to scientists at University Medicine Leipzig and other research institutions. The primary focus of the work of the LIFE research centre lies in its surveys and studies of the population of Leipzig. One example of this is represented by the LIFE child cohorts, which children and adolescents of all age groups, as well as pregnant women, are currently being invited to join. This research work is complemented by the NAKO health study, in which the Leipzig study centre is surveying 10,000 adults and asking them to undergo medical examinations. In addition to the accessibility of data, an important cornerstone of its work is the LIFE biobank which was established in 2011, and where well over a million biospecimens are in storage, making it one of the largest biobanks in Germany. The study of lifestyle diseases constitutes one of the key areas of research at University Medicine Leipzig.

The Helmholtz Institute for Metabolism, Adiposity and Vascular Research was newly established in 2016 to study the aetiology and treatment options for so-called lifestyle diseases. The new institute will strengthen the key area of interdisciplinary research entitled ‘Civilisation diseases’ at University Medicine Leipzig, and is a joint project of the Helmholtz Centre in Munich (the German Research Centre for Environmental Health), the Medical Faculty of Leipzig University, and Leipzig University Hospital. Following the successful completion of the start-up phase, research activities are to commence at the HIMAG in 2020. The institute is funded by the Helmholtz Association and the Free State of Saxony.

The Interdisciplinary Centre for Bioinformatics is an interfaculty centre at Leipzig University which supports interdisciplinary projects requiring expertise in the fields of bioinformatics and systems biology. It brings together medical practitioners, life scientists and experts who have experience in analysing complex omics data and modelling temporal and spatial phenomena. Consistently with the research profile of Leipzig University, the IZBI focuses on the research areas of genetic evolution, gene regulation, cell and tissue differentiation, and the development of methods to evaluate complex omics data. The overriding goal is to clarify the molecular causes of conditions such as cancer and infections, as well as the way in which environment and lifestyle impact upon health and ageing.

With its Chair in Molecular Cell Therapy and Chair in Cell Techniques and Applied Stem Cell Biology, the Medical Faculty plays an important role in the Centre for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BBZ), whose members also include five other university lecturers and/or heads of research groups from the Medical Faculty or from Leipzig University Hospital. The BBZ is a central scientific unit of Leipzig University; it promotes research networking within the university, and taps into the interdisciplinary synergies which result. Excellent advances have been made in the field of biotechnology in cooperation with the relevant groups of specialists within a life sciences cluster at Leipzig University. Innovative fields which are knowledge and experience-intensive are rated very highly in Leipzig which is a centre of excellence in the field of biotechnology. In addition to the high standard of basic and applied research which is conducted there, it has been possible to establish a development and marketing platform at the BBZ which can compete at international level.