Metabolic chambers inaugurated at HI-MAG - new research opportunities for analyzing human energy metabolism

How do the metabolic chambers work?

Metabolic chambers are rooms that can be used to measure the energy turnover and metabolism of test subjects in clinical studies. These chambers permit the precise determination of an individual's metabolic rate. Therefore, they facilitate more effective research into disease mechanisms and may facilitate the development of customized treatment options in the future.

Indirect calorimetry is used to determine energy consumption during various phases of the day and activity as well as the predominantly metabolized substrate. This process entails determining the subject's oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production within a specified timeframe by continuously measuring the fresh air supplied and the air within the chamber. A measurement can be conducted over a period of approximately one hour to several days, as the chambers have been designed to provide a comfortable environment, including sanitary facilities. The special feature of the Leipzig chambers is that they are specially designed for test subjects with obesity. The equipment is designed to accommodate individuals with a maximum weight of 250 kg, allowing for the consideration of individual needs and the exploration of a range of research topics that are unique to Germany. The objective is to gain insights into metabolic disorders that are specifically associated with this disease.    

‘The new metabolic chambers significantly expand our existing examination methods for determining the resting energy metabolism and thus open up completely new research approaches,’ says Matthias Blüher, the director of HI-MAG.

Prof Matthias Tschöp, CEO of Helmholtz Munich, adds: ‘The metabolic chambers at HI-MAG are a huge step forward in the fight against the obesity epidemic. We can now precisely analyze the human energy metabolism and develop even more precise therapies."

Advancing international cooperation

Despite their distinctive characteristics, the chambers in Leipzig should not be regarded as a singular solution. Rather, networking at a national and international level should be conducted through collaboration. ‘With the establishment of the metabolic chambers here in Leipzig, we also see enormous potential to open up new opportunities for cooperation in the characterization of human metabolic processes, not only in Germany, but also across Europe’ says Thomas Romes from the BMBF. A dynamic exchange of experience and knowledge, standardized conditions and multicenter studies represent a crucial foundation for high-quality research, which HI-MAG also pushes forward in this field. 

HI-MAG was founded in 2018 as a cooperation between Helmholtz Munich, the Faculty of Medicine at Leipzig University and University of Leipzig Medical Center. The institute has set itself the goal of combining basic and clinical research, thereby transferring scientific findings from the laboratory to clinical treatment. "The inauguration of the metabolic chambers marks another milestone in this collaboration. Especially in the field of excellent translational research, we see the HI-MAG together with its cooperation partners, the University of Leipzig and Leipzig University Hospital, in a leading role in metabolic medicine,' said State Secretary for Science Dr. Handschuh. Through the planned clinical studies in the metabolic chambers, the HI-MAG will make a significant contribution to improving the prevention and treatment of obesity and other metabolic diseases.