German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke (DIfE)

The German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke researches the influence of nutrition on health. The over-all goal is to make scientific knowledge usable for prevention and therapy. In order to translate new approaches most efficiently from the lab to patients, our scientists work in a combination of experimental and applied research: from cells and mice to epidemiological observations and human intervention.

Therefore the researchers focus on three areas:

• the role of nutritional habits and factors in the development of obesity and its complications, particularly type-2-diabetes,
• the role of nutrition in healthy aging,
• the mechanisms of food choice and precision nutrition.

DIfE is an independent foundation and member of the Leibniz Association, an alliance of scientific institutions. The basic funding is provided by the state of Brandenburg (MWFK) together with the federal government (BMFTR) and the other states.

The Leibniz Association connects 96 independent research institutions that range in focus from natural, engineering and environmental sciences to economics, spatial and social sciences and the humanities. Leibniz Institutes address issues of social, economic and ecological relevance.

They conduct basic and applied research, including in the interdisciplinary Leibniz Research Alliances, maintain scientific infrastructure, and provide research-based services. The Leibniz Association identifies focus areas for knowledge transfer, particularly with the Leibniz research museums. It advises and informs policymakers, science, industry and the general public.

Leibniz institutions collaborate intensively with universities – including in the form of Leibniz ScienceCampi – as well as with industry and other partners at home and abroad. They are subject to a transparent, independent evaluation procedure. Because of their importance for the country as a whole, the Leibniz Association Institutes are funded jointly by Germany’s central and regional governments. The Leibniz Institutes employ around 21,400 people, including 12,170 researchers. The financial volume amounts to 2,3 billion euros.

Furthermore DIfE is one partner of the German Center for Diabetes Research that is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR).