About GERTRUD
GERTRUD (German Twin Registry) is the first nationwide German registry for twins and multiples, enabling identical, fraternal, and higher-order multiples of all ages to participate in scientific studies.
The registry is a research initiative in the Environmental Neuroscience field at the Max-Planck-Institute for Human Development (MPIB) and their cooperation partners (University Hospital Tübingen, Bielefeld University, Medical School Hamburg, Max-Planck-Institut for Empirical Aesthetics und Saarland University) that originated in 2022.
Registration form for twins aged 16 and older
Please note: This Registration form is currently only available in German
Registration form for the legal parent or guardian of underage twins (aged 0-15)
Please note: This Registration form is currently only available in German
How does GERTRUD work?
You can easily register online for GERTRUD. Registration takes about 5 minutes. Afterward, you will receive an email containing a sign-up link for your relatives, which you are welcome to share with them.
By registering, you will receive regular information about current studies. You can then decide on a case-by-case basis whether you wish to participate in a particular study. Alternatively, you can find information about current studies here and contact the relevant study team directly. Participation in studies is, of course, voluntary. If you have any questions regarding your participation, please feel free to contact us at gertrud@mpib-berlin.mpg.de. You can unsubscribe from notifications or withdraw your consent to participate at any time.
Have we sparked your research interest? If you are 16 years of age or older, you can participate directly in a 30-minute online study that offers 10 € in compensation. You will receive the link to this study via email after completing your registration.
Why is there twin and multiple research?
Twins and multiples share about 50% (dizygotic or polyzygotic) to nearly 100% (identical) genetic makeup, while their life and environmental experiences may differ. They therefore offer science particularly valuable insights into the influence of genetics and environment on development and health. By participating in research projects, twins and multiples can make an important contribution to the common good. You can find more about that at For Twins & Families.
In the Environmental Neuroscience field at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin, we investigate, among other things, how environmental factors influence people's health and behavior. Research is carried out into how mental and psychological health and behavior are shaped by the interaction between genetic factors and environmental conditions, for example, through experiences, lifestyle, and living conditions. Since identical twins share almost 100% of their genetic material and dizygotic twins and polyzygotic multiples share about 50%, conclusions can be drawn about the influence of genetic and environmental factors.
Our Vision
Our goal is to investigate the impact of the physical environment on the individual. We hypothesize that the complexity of environmental factors exerts a decisive influence on brain plasticity and behavioral changes. In other words, by controlling for genetic variations in twins, researchers seek to conclude the interactions and influences of environmental factors.
The primary focus of our studies lies on the various facets of urban life and their effects on the human brain, behavior, and mental health. Based on these findings, we aim to develop recommendations that sustainably promote and strengthen people's physical and mental well-being.
Would you also like to contribute to advancing our understanding of diseases, human behavior, and/or environmental influences? Then sign up for GERTRUD! You can find further information on how to register here.
Further Twin Registries
Worldwide, there are numerous twin registries that hold various groups of twins for research purposes. Here you can find a list of the most well-known twin registries from around the world.