idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
idw - Informationsdienst
Wissenschaft
Excellent success for Leipzig University: its Leipzig Center of Metabolism (LeiCeM) research cluster will receive multi-million-euro funding over the coming years as part of the Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state governments. This was announced today (22 May 2025) by the Joint Commission of the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the German Council of Science and Humanities (WR).
“Today is a great day for our university. For the first time, we are celebrating a success in the Clusters of Excellence funding line in the national excellence competition held by the federal and state governments. The Leipzig Center of Metabolism Cluster of Excellence will be dedicated to understanding and improving the burden of disease caused by metabolic disorders. A clinical research centre will be established in cooperation with the University of Leipzig Medical Center and Leipzig Heart Center, as well as five Max Planck, Helmholtz and Fraunhofer Institutes. I extend my warmest congratulations to everyone involved. Unfortunately, our second proposed cluster, Breathing Nature, which focused on the interactions between the climate and biodiversity crises, was not successful. That is disappointing. After all, the interdisciplinary team invested several years of intensive work in the project. To have come this far in such a highly competitive process is a great achievement in itself, and I would like to express my sincere thanks to the entire team,” says Professor Eva Inés Obergfell, Rector of Leipzig University.
“When we set out on this journey nearly three years ago, we just wanted to give it our all and see if we could actually get something like this off the ground. From the earliest ideas – quite literally pencil sketches – a wonderful team emerged, along with incredibly strong ideas and brilliant connections across Leipzig’s excellently staffed research fields. Reviewers and decision-makers clearly also recognised the appeal of our concept, which offers genuine progress in clinical metabolic medicine. I am absolutely delighted for this outstanding research location and extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved. Now it’s time to get started!” says LeiCeM spokesperson Professor Michael Stumvoll.
Professor Jens-Karl Eilers, Vice-Rector for Excellence Development: Research and Transfer, adds: “Even though funding was not granted for both full proposals, the cluster spokespersons and their teams have demonstrated that they are already conducting research at a world-class level. They were able to rely on the support of the University’s administration and the Rectorate throughout the entire application process. On behalf of the entire University management, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who was involved.”
Excellence Commission announces decisions on clusters
Over the past few months, the two clusters were evaluated by international expert panels according to scientific quality criteria. Based on their assessments, the Excellence Commission – comprising the academic members of the Committee of Experts and the federal and state ministers responsible for science – has now decided which Clusters of Excellence will be established and which will continue to receive funding. Funding will run for seven years, starting on 1 January 2026.
Leipzig Center of Metabolism: Shaping the future of metabolic medicine
With the Leipzig Center of Metabolism (LeiCeM), Leipzig University is signalling a strong commitment to the future of medical science. The centre will take a clinical focus, concentrating on the research and treatment of common metabolic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and fatty liver disease. These illnesses are often associated with serious secondary diseases, including heart attacks, strokes, kidney and liver failure, and neurodegenerative disorders.
LeiCeM will pursue an innovative approach: unlike conventional study models, it will take comprehensive account of the individual causes of disease, such as individual causes of disease such as genetic predispositions, early childhood influences, sex-specific differences, and mental health. These factors enable more targeted diagnostics, personalised treatment planning, and the development of tailored intervention studies for specific patient groups. A particular research focus lies on the role of sex and gender as factors influencing treatment outcomes – an aspect that is often underestimated in clinical practice.
Structurally, LeiCeM strengthens not only medical research but also academic teaching and the promotion of early-career researchers: new professorships, an innovative qualification programme, and interdisciplinary training opportunities create ideal conditions for future medical doctors and medical scientists. The expanded research infrastructure and the close integration of clinical practice, research, and teaching offer outstanding prospects for scientific careers. With LeiCeM, Leipzig University brings together decades of excellent research expertise.
Leipzig University, Media team
Phone: +49 341 9735025
EMail: presse@uni-leipzig.de
https://www.uni-leipzig.de/en/research/excellence-in-research/leipzig-center-of-...
Great joy after the announcement of the excellence decision: from left to right: Vice-Rector Profess ...
Photo: Christian Hüller
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