Current Projects
The “TwinLife Environment” Study for Same-Sex Fraternal Twins Aged 18 to 60
How does our environment influence our thoughts, feelings, and behavior? We explore this fascinating question in the TwinLife Environment study – and we warmly invite you and your twin to participate!
First, you'll complete two short online questionnaires and send us photos of the view from your window via an app. Then, for one week, you'll participate in short, everyday surveys via the app (5 times a day, approximately 5 minutes each), wearing a smartwatch and a small device to measure air quality. Participation is easy and convenient from the comfort of your own home.
Same-sex fraternal twins aged 18 to 55 who speak fluent German and provide joint written consent are eligible to participate. As a thank you, you and your twin will each receive 100 euros.
Interested? Then we look forward to receiving a short email from you!
Contact:
Research Area - Environmental Neuroscience
Max Planck Institute for Human Development
twin-ema@mpib-berlin.mpg.de
+49 30 82406-261, +49 30 82406-262 (Mon - Thu: 9:00 - 18:00, Fri: 9:00 - 15:00)
Online Study “Environment” for Identical and Fraternal Twins Ages 16 and older
We want to learn more about the impact of different environmental conditions on physical and mental health. We are interested in how the context in which you live affects the development of your behavior, thoughts, and feelings. Everyday things that may seem unimportant to you, such as your neighborhood, are of great interest to science. This knowledge can be used in the future to better shape the development of people in your living environment. As a thank you for your participation, you will receive 10 euros. You can also participate in this short study even if you are unsure whether you are identical or fraternal twins.
You will receive the link to the questionnaire after registering with Gertrud. If you are 16 years or older, you can do so here.
Contact:
Research Area - Environmental Neuroscience
Max Planck Institute for Human Development
gertrud@mpib-berlin.mpg.de
+49 30 82406-261, +49 30 82406-262 (Mon - Thu: 9:00 - 18:00, Fri: 9:00 - 15:00)
MRI Study “OCDTWIN” for Identical Twins
This study examines identical twin pairs with discordance for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) (one twin in a pair is affected by OCD, the other is not) to contribute to the understanding of the biological causes of OCD and thereby enable new approaches to prevention and therapy.
If you or your twin have ever been diagnosed with OCD, you can participate in this study. However, participation is only possible if both twins in a pair (i.e., both the affected and the unaffected twin) can be examined.
The study will take place in Hamburg and is led by Prof. Dr. Jan Beucke. It includes preliminary virtual interviews and two study days on-site in Hamburg. Travel, meals, and accommodation costs will be covered; the study coordinator will handle the bookings after consulting with you. You will receive compensation of up to 350 euros for your participation. You can also participate in the study even if you do not wish to take part in one or more of the examinations. The two-day study includes a physical examination, the collection of biological samples, MRI and EEG scans, as well as psychological questionnaires and tests. During the MRI and EEG scans, your heart activity, pulse, respiration, skin conductance, and the electrical activity of your eye muscles will also be measured.
Further information and a registration form can be found here.
Contact:
Dr. Julia Franke
Medical School Hamburg
julia.franke@medicalschool-hamburg.de
+49 40 361 226 49275
MRI Study “NeoTwins” for Expectant Mothers of Same-Sex Twins
This study aims to understand how different the brains of twins are shortly after birth and what influence environmental factors have on early brain development. The brain is particularly receptive to environmental signals at the beginning of life; therefore, this study focuses on recording the prenatal and postnatal developmental environment.
The study consists of two examinations: one prenatal appointment between the 20th and 30th week of pregnancy and one between the 2nd and 8th week after birth. The second appointment includes an MRI scan of your twins, which will be performed at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin. You and your children can participate in this study if you are of legal age, are pregnant with same-sex twins, and are still before the 30th week of pregnancy. You will receive a total of 200 euros as compensation for your participation.
Contact:
Research Area - Environmental Neuroscience
Max Planck Institute for Human Development
neotwins@mpib-berlin.mpg.de
+49 30 82406-261
Website: https://www.mpib-berlin.mpg.de/neotwins
The TWINfit Study for Identical or Dizygotic Same-Sex Twins
To what extent are characteristics such as physical fitness and disease risks determined by genetics and external influences like physical activity and training? What individual impact does regular physical activity have on performance and health? And am I more susceptible to certain diseases if I don't exercise? The Department of Sports Medicine at the University Hospital of Tübingen is now launching a twin study that will investigate these questions, among others. Participating twins will receive a comprehensive, free physical examination. Study participants will receive detailed, scientifically sound information about their physical health and fitness, as well as an exclusive individual risk profile. The examinations take approximately 5 hours.
We are looking for identical or dizygotic same-sex twin pairs (male/female/diverse) aged 18 to 65 years with a body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 35 kg/m² and no chronic diseases with end-organ damage. Both twins must give their consent and attend the appointment in Tübingen together.
Contact:
twinfit@med.uni-tuebingen.de
University Hospital Tübingen, Department of Internal Medicine
Department of Sports Medicine