GRK 2576:  vivid - in vivo investigations towards the early development of type 2 diabetes

• Subject Area: Medicine
• Term: since 2020
• Website: Homepage
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 417627297

About 7 million people in Germany suffer from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with about300,000 newly diagnosed patients each year. The rising incidence in T2DM is of concern anda challenge for the health care systems. New effective strategies are urgently needed forimproved diagnosis, therapy and prevention of T2DM, as well as highly qualified scientist inresearch and development. Genetic predisposition and environmental factors, in particularearly exposure to adverse modifiable lifestyle factors such as prenatal or juvenile overnutritionand lack of exercise have been associated with an increased diabetes risk. However, themechanistic links between early exposures, onset of impaired insulin action in early life andinadequate β−cell function in subsequent phases are not well understood. The aim of theresearch program is to better understand the critical molecular mechanisms in the earlydevelopment of T2DM. The research projects focus on three areas, including i) prenatalmetabolic programming, cell- and organ development, ii) postnatal energy substratemetabolism and inflammation and iii) early adaptation of pancreatic islets to insulin resistancein prediabetes. The RTG ‘vivid’ at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf combines scientificexcellence, complementary expertise of the investigators and unique resources includinginfrastructures of Leibniz and Helmholtz Centers to conduct interdisciplinary and tightlyinterconnected projects in diabetes research. Doctoral researchers in basic sciences andmedicine (PhD/MD) will jointly investigate novel experimental models for diabetesdevelopment. A structured and coherent qualification program sets the frame for sustainedtraining and mentoring to gain comprehensive knowledge in translational diabetes research.Identification of the early factors in diabetes development is expected to contribute to thedesign of new efficient strategies for precision medicine in the prevention of type 2 diabetes.1.5 Funding period and start dateFunding is applied for 4.5 years with an anticipated start date at June 1st, 2020.1.6 Proposed number of positions or fellowships for doctoral and postdoctoralresearchers, qualifying fellows, and doctoral researcher assistantsDoctoral researchers

• DFG Programme: Research Training Groups
• Applicant Institution: Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
• Participating Institution: Deutsches Diabetes-Zentrum (DDZ); Leibniz-Zentrum für Diabetes-Forschung ; an der Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Hadi Al-Hasani
• Participating Researchers: Dr. Bengt-Frederik Belgardt; Dr. Alexandra Chadt; Professorin Dr. Regina Ensenauer; Professor Dr. Jens W. Fischer; Professorin Dr. Maria Grandoch; Professor Dr. Nikolaj Klöcker; Professor Dr. Eckhard Lammert; Professor Dr. Andreas Reichert; Professor Dr. Michael Roden; Professor Dr. Jürgen Scheller