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Max Rubner Institute, Karlsruhe
Study centre at the Max Rubner Institute in Karlsruhe
The Max Rubner Institute (MRI), Federal Research Institute for Nutrition and Food, is the federal government's research and advisory organisation in the field of nutrition and food. The task of this departmental research institute is to provide internationally recognised research and expert advice to help policymakers make scientific decisions. Scientific independence, objectivity and a high level of expertise in the field of nutrition and food are the basis for the fulfilment of this task. The MRI's core research area is consumer health protection.
The Human Studies Centre at the MRI is part of the Institute of Physiology and Biochemistry of Nutrition. The research field of this institute is the nutritional physiological and health-promoting effects of food on humans, whereby the overall view of the food consumed, depending on the degree of processing and over a longer period of time, is of decisive importance.
At the MRI's Human Studies Centre, nutritional studies are carried out on humans to detect how food and the substances it contains influence certain bodily functions and thus human health. Increasingly, questions of sustainability are also important study topics. The overarching aim is to recognise the health benefits of food and various forms of nutrition for consumers, to identify possible risks and to develop scientifically sound recommendations for policy advice and consumer health protection.
Like all studies at the MRI, the COPLANT study is realised with the expertise of an experienced and multidisciplinary team from nutritional science, food chemistry and medicine. Medical-technical assistants and medical assistants guarantee the smooth running of the study. Modernly equipped rooms with extensive examination and analysis methods enable comprehensive anthropometric, physiological and clinical characterisation of the study participants.
Examinations at the MRI study centre
Physical examinations:
- Blood pressure and pulse
- Anthropometry (height and weight, waist and hip circumference)
- Determination of body composition (bioelectrical impedance analysis)
- Measurement of hand gripping force
- Measurement of bone density using quantitative ultrasound on the calcaneus
- Measurement of physical activity using a movement sensor over 7 days
- Further optional physical examinations
- Examination of oral health and the oral microbiome
- Determination of cardiorespiratory fitness using spiroergometry
- Examination of glucose metabolism using the oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT)
- Measurement of bone density and body composition using DXA
- Capillary blood sampling using microsampling methods
Collection of biosamples:
- Blood sample (fasting)
- Urine samples (24-hour urine collection, spontaneous urine)
- Stool sample
- Saliva sample
Questionnaires and nutrition survey:
- Questionnaires on socio-demographics, lifestyle, nutrition, health and everyday behaviour
- Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ)
- Detailed nutrition survey (weighing protocol) using the "NutriDiary" app on four days
Directions/Site plan
Study Centre at the Max Rubner Institute (MRI)
Haid-und-Neu-Str. 9
76131 Karlsruhe
https://www.mri.bund.de/de/ueber-das-mri/standorte/karlsruhe/
By public transport
From Karlsruhe main station, take the tram to the "Hauptfriedhof" stop.
Connections from the main station: Line 3 (direction Rintheim)
Public transport, timetable information: Karlsruher Verkehrsverbund; KVV - Karlsruher Verkehrsverbund - Bahn und Bus - Home
By car
When programming your satnav, please use Stumpfstraße for direct access and not Haid-und-Neu-Straße.
Via the A 5 motorway (Frankfurt-Basel), take the Karlsruhe-Durlach exit in the direction of Karlsruhe-Stadtmitte. After the railway bridge, turn right onto Ostring, then left into Haid-und-Neu-Straße. Opposite the Jet petrol station, turn right into Stumpfstraße (access to car parks).
Information on participation in the study
Who can take part?
People who are between 18 and 69 years old at the time of recruitment and have been pursuing one of the following diets for at least one year:
- vegan: no animal products
- vegetarian: no meat and fish, but dairy produce and eggs
- pescetarian: no meat, but fish
- omnivorous: both plant and animal products (mixed diet)
Pregnant and breastfeeding women are also welcome to take part in the study. Further information can be found in our FAQ on the COPLANT study.
Contact us
Max Rubner Institute
COPLANT study
Haid-und-Neu-Str. 9
76131 Karlsruhe
Telephone: 0721/6625-417 (Monday to Thursday, 09:00 to 15:00)
E-mail: coplant-studie@mri.bund.de
