Press release - 07/02/2025 Spliceosome: How cells avoid errors when manufacturing mRNA The spliceosome, ensures that the genetic information from the genome, after being transcribed into mRNA precursors, is correctly assembled into mature mRNA. Splicing is a basic requirement for producing proteins. Researchers at the Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center (BZH) have succeeded for the first time in depicting a faultily “blocked” spliceosome at high resolution and reconstructing how it is recognized and eliminated in the cell.
Press release - 07/02/2025 Multiple myeloma: When cancer cells break out of the bone marrow, a dangerous diversity arises A research team from the Heidelberg Medical Faculty, the German Cancer Research Center, the Berlin Institute of Health at Charité (BIH) and the Max Delbrück Center has discovered new details about the spread of the incurable bone marrow cancer multiple myeloma in the body: When the cancer cells break out of the bone and multiply outside the bone marrow, a wide variety of tumor cells arise, accompanied by a significantly altered immune response.
Project REVeyeVE - 06/02/2025 Targeted, virus-free gene therapy for the eye using degradable nanopropellers Eye diseases that result in blindness in young people are primarily caused by genetic mutations. An interdisciplinary team of researchers from the Universities of Tübingen and Heidelberg is developing an innovative gene therapy method using biodegradable, magnetic nanopropellers. These innovative nanopropellers can effectively deliver intact genes into the affected cells, offering a potential solution for treating genetic disorders of this kind.
Press release - 20/01/2025 New approach to fighting cancer: energy trap for tumor cells Glycolysis is an important sugar degradation pathway that cancer cells in particular depend on. Scientists at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have now shown that liver cancer cells in mice and humans depend on a key enzyme of glycolysis, Aldolase A. When it is switched off, glycolysis reverses from an energy-producing to an energy-consuming process.
Press release - 16/01/2025 New weapons against viruses Dr. Petr Chlanda, virologist and research group leader at the Heidelberg Medical Faculty of Heidelberg University, has been awarded more than 720,000 euros in funding from the European Union for his research into new therapies against viruses. His work is part of the interdisciplinary, international DEFENDER project, which is developing innovative approaches to combat emerging and re-emerging viruses.
Press release - 15/01/2025 Similarities discovered between vascular calcification and bone growth University of Tübingen research team observes biochemical process in living cells – indications of new approach to preventing heart attacks and strokes
Press release - 14/01/2025 Epigenetics ensures placenta functioning If the development of blood vessels in the placenta is impaired, fetal growth retardation may result. Scientists from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and the Mannheim Medical Faculty of Heidelberg University discovered that the correct development of functioning blood vessels in the mouse placenta is controlled epigenetically: One of the enzymes that modify gene activity using methyl groups is responsible.
Press release - 13/01/2025 New tool for synthetic biology Scientists at the University of Stuttgart have succeeded in controlling the structure and function of biological membranes with the help of "DNA origami". The system they developed may facilitate the transportation of large therapeutic loads into cells. This opens up a new way for the targeted administration of medication and other therapeutic interventions.
Press release - 07/01/2025 Revolutionising cancer therapy with protein design A new family of protein-based antagonists has been created by researchers that efficiently block the granulocyte-colony stimulating factor receptor (G-CSFR), which is essential for the development of leukaemia and other inflammatory illnesses. This groundbreaking work paves the way for targeted therapies that could revolutionise treatment options for patients suffering from these conditions.
Press release - 07/01/2025 Researchers have a better understanding of how our cells dispose of waste while developing ways to control it A research team from Freiburg and Frankfurt has discovered how cells recognise and internally break down waste. The results are relevant for the development of therapies for diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Press release - 03/01/2025 New approaches against metastatic breast cancer: mini-tumors from circulating cancer cells Tumor cells circulating in the blood are the "germ cells" of breast cancer metastases. They are rare and could not be propagated in the culture dish until now, which made research into therapy resistance difficult. A team from the DKFZ, the Heidelberg Stem Cell Institute HI-STEM and the NCT Heidelberg has now succeeded for the first time in cultivating stable tumor organoids directly from blood samples of breast cancer patients.
Press release - 13/12/2024 Schizophrenia: NMI observes processes in nerve cells Up to now, schizophrenia has mainly been treated symptomatically, as little is known about the exact underlying processes. Researchers at the NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute in Reutlingen have succeeded in gaining a better understanding of the driving mechanisms of the disease. This offers opportunities for the development of new drugs. They have published their findings in the journal BMC Psychiatry.