Leipzig University striving for excellence with proposed "Metabolism Research Center"
Leipzig University Secures Millions in Funding for "Leipzig Center of Metabolism"
Leipzig University's "Leipzig Center of Metabolism" (LeiCeM) will receive funding in the millions as part of the federal and state excellence strategy, it was announced by the Joint Commission of the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the Science Council on May 22, 2025.
Leipzig University's ambitious bid for the LeiCeM has been successful, providing a much-anticipated boost to metabolism medicine research. The focus will be on tackling common disorders such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, and fatty liver disease, which often carry severe complications like heart attack, stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Professor M. Stumvoll, the LeiCeM spokesperson, expressed his delight at the outcome. "Our team has worked tirelessly to make this happen," he explained. "We have built upon innovative ideas and brilliant connections between Leipzig's excellent scientific fields," he continued.
Pro-Rector for Excellence Development, Research and Transfer, Prof. J-K Eilers, praised the cluster spokespersons and their teams, stating that they are already conducting research at a world-class standard. He additionally expressed gratitude to the university administration and rectorate for their support throughout the application process.
Following a rigorous evaluation process, the Excellence Commission has decided which excellence clusters will be established or continued. The new funding will commence on January 1, 2026, and will span a period of seven years.
The LeiCeM will not only pioneer medical research but also strengthen academic teaching and talent promotion. New professorships, an innovative training program, and interdisciplinary learning opportunities will create an optimal environment for aspiring medical professionals and medical scientists. LeiCeM's research infrastructure, closely integrated with university clinics, heart centers, and various Max Planck, Helmholtz, and Fraunhofer institutes, promises excellent prospects for scientific careers.
The LeiCeM's patient-centric approach will delve into the intricacies of various individual risk factors like genetic predispositions, early life influences, gender-specific differences, and mental health factors. Integrating these factors allows for more targeted diagnostics, personalized therapy planning, and tailored intervention studies geared towards specific patient groups. A particular research emphasis will be placed on understanding how sex and gender impact treatment success, an aspect previously underestimated in clinical practice.
[1] Obesity, diabetes mellitus, and fatty liver disease are frequently associated with severe secondary complications such as heart attack, stroke, kidney and liver failure, and neurodegenerative diseases.[3] LeiCeM's holistic approach to research encompasses genetic predispositions, early life influences, gender-specific differences, and mental health factors, with the aim of more accurate diagnostics, personalized therapy planning, and tailored intervention studies for specific patient groups. A key emphasis is the role of sex and gender in treatment efficacy. Training opportunities attract aspiring medical professionals and scientists, and the combined research environment with university clinics, heart centers, and various prestigious institutes fosters excellent career prospects for both medical research and scientific careers.
- The Leipzig Center of Metabolism (LeiCeM) will focus on tackling common disorders such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, and fatty liver disease, which often lead to severe complications like heart attack, stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases, as part of a broader approach to understanding and mitigating chronic diseases, such as type-2 diabetes.
- To strengthen academic teaching and talent promotion, the LeiCeM will establish new professorships, an innovative training program, and interdisciplinary learning opportunities, providing optimal conditions for aspiring medical professionals and medical scientists in health and wellness, while also ensuring an integrative research environment with university clinics.
- In their pursuit of personalized therapy planning, the LeiCeM will investigate various individual risk factors, including genetic predispositions, early life influences, gender-specific differences, and mental health factors, with a particular research emphasis on understanding how sex and gender impact treatment success, which has often been underestimated in clinical practice.
