NAKO

With the aim to develop new strategies for risk assessment, early detection, and prevention of major chronic diseases, a network of German research institutions, including the MDC, has started a large prospective cohort to be used as a common, national resource for studies on risk factors and etiologic mechanisms of major diseases in the German population.

Article

Group picture
Science

German National Cohort study launches third phase

Are there measurable biological changes that occur over time that can predict the development of chronic disease? The German National Cohort Study aims to find out. The study has just started its third round of testing. All participants are encouraged to return for their re-examinations.
Gruppenbild des NAKO Teams
Science

“We see how people’s health develops over time”

Every day up to twelve people come to the NAKO health study’s Berlin-North Study Center to be examined from head to toe. Now, Tobias Pischon and his team at the Max Delbrück Center have welcomed their 5,555th participant. The researcher explains why the data they collect are so important.
Biobank
Science

Understanding the transition to disease

As part of the IMMEDIATE project, a team led by ECRC researcher Friedemann Paul is investigating inflammatory precursors of diseases – and how nutrition and the gut microbiome influence the immune system. The project is receiving more than €7 million in EU funding.
Netzwerk
Science

German National Cohort data accessible for research

The NAKO Health Study collected data from 205,000 participants in its initial surveys. The German-speaking scientific community can now use the TransferHub to evaluate the data in their own studies. MDC operates a NAKO study centre.
Claudia Müller im NAKO Studienzentrum Berlin Nord
Press Release No. 21 Berlin

GNC health study examines former soccer players

In the last week of March, the German National Cohort’s Berlin-North Study Center received some special guests: Former professional soccer players Claudia Müller and Sven Kretschmer underwent preliminary examinations as part of a soccer study being conducted by the GNC’s sponsoring association.
NAKO
Institute & Campus

NAKO health study resumes investigations

After a three-month long break due to corona, the 18 NAKO study centers are gradually opening their doors again for participants in July. The study operation at the MDC will start on July 6, 2020.
Umfrage
Press Release No. 22 Berlin

GNC study surveys participants on COVID-19

The pandemic will likely have grave consequences for the health and well-being of the German population. The GNC study now wants to find out exactly what those consequences are. All subjects are being asked to take part in a survey.
NAKO Gesundheitsstudie
Press Release No. 10 Berlin

Higher education, lower activity levels

A team led by Dr. Lina Jaeschke and Professor Tobias Pischon of the MDC has investigated the individual factors associated with high and low levels of physical activity. The results, which have been published in the journal Scientific Reports, contain some surprises.
Biobank
Science

“Our goal is personalized prevention”

In May 2019 the second round of examinations in the German National Cohort (GNC) health study got underway at the MDC. Tobias Pischon, an MDC researcher and a member of the GNC board of directors, explains why additional data are so important to the success of the long-term study.
Tobias Pischon and NAKO's 10,000th participant, Marcel Köppchen
Press Release No. 18 Berlin

First “wave” of the German National Cohort is completed

In late April, the Berlin-North study center at the MDC welcomed its 10,000th subject in the GNC health study. This completes the first round of baseline examinations.