Our group addresses translational clinical research aspects pertaining the etiology, development and consequences of diabetes mellitus including its complications and comorbidities. For this purpose, we are conducting hypothesis-driven translational and mechanistic studies with a main emphasis on cellular mechanisms underlying insulin resistance in liver, muscle and adipose tissue. Specifically, we are interested in tissue-specific energy metabolism, including mitochondrial function, ectopic lipid deposition, and its interaction with inflammatory processes to promote diabetes.

Hypotheses are generated from cohort studies, tested in different animal models of insulin resistance, diabetes and fatty liver disease and translated to heatlhy humans and patients with selected complications. Our studies aim at the identification of new targets to prevent and treat type 2 diabetes early on or to control the progression of diabetes and its chronic complications.