Press release - 28/02/2025 Scientists discover the function of a mysterious HIV component A research team including scientists from Heidelberg University Hospital has gained new insights into HIV-1. Researchers have discovered the mechanism behind an important step in the life cycle of HIV. Working together with teams at Heidelberg and Yale Universities, they found that the enigmatic “spacer peptide 2”, one of the virus components, plays a key role in converting immature HIV-1 particles into infectious particles.
Press release - 27/02/2025 EU Project: New Molecular Interventions against Virus Infections Targeted molecular interventions in the replication cycle and the immune recognition of viruses are intended to prevent viral entry into cells and virus replication. Scientists work on new approaches to combating highly dangerous viral diseases such as yellow fever or Lassa fever. The European Union is supporting the project over a period of five years to the tune of just under eight million euros.
Press release - 25/02/2025 Self-healing hearts How Zebrafish regenerate heart muscle cells Zebrafish can completely replace damaged heart muscle cells: The affected organ becomes fully functional again. Researchers at Ulm University have discovered that a specific cell-to-cell communication signal helps them to cope better with replication stress. This stress inhibits tissue regeneration in humans and mammals as they age. In Zebrafish a signalling protein ensures that the cells of the damaged organ continue to divide and thus multiply.
Press release - 25/02/2025 Protein with contradictory properties: secret revealed A protein with contradictory properties: Despite its large negative surface charge, it has a strong tendency to take up electrons, which are also negatively charged. The researchers discovered positively charged calcium ions inside the protein very near the electrons, counteracting their charge. They see this as a natural way of handling opposing electrical charges and allowing the protein to optimally fulfill its biological function.
Press release - 13/02/2025 Guardian molecule keeps cells on track – new perspectives for the treatment of liver cancer A guardian molecule ensures that liver cells do not lose their identity. The discovery is of great importance for cancer medicine because a change of identity of cells has come into focus as a fundamental principle of carcinogenesis for several years. The research team was able to show that the newly discovered guardian is so powerful that it can slow down highly potent cancer drivers and cause malignant liver tumors to regress in mice.
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 - 23/01/2025 How the Ebola virus replicates in cells Like all viruses, the Ebola virus is dependent on host cells in order to replicate. Researchers at Heidelberg University Hospital, in collaboration with colleagues from the Friedrich Loeffler Institute, have been able to show for the first time using state-of-the-art imaging techniques how the replication compartments of the Ebola virus change during replication in infected cells.
Press release - 17/01/2025 The Minister President of Baden Wuerttemberg, Winfried Kretschmann, honors cutting-edge research at the Max Planck Institutes in Tübingen Winfried Kretschmann, the Minister President of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, visited the Max Planck Institutes for Biology Tübingen and Biological Cybernetics. During his tour, he commended the outstanding basic research in the natural sciences. He was particularly impressed by the innovative research projects spanning developmental and evolutionary biology, as well as neuroscience.
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.
Dossier: Innovative animal-free research in Baden-Württemberg - 05/12/2024 Mini-organs and multi-organ chips - where lab mice may soon retire Farewell to animal testing? Life sciences researchers in BW are pioneering innovative methods to replace animal experiments, reduce the number of animals used and refine the procedures and conditions under which animals are kept. These are the guiding principles of the 3Rs principle. Developing cutting-edge models and establishing a robust 3R network, not only shapes the future of research but also improves the quality of scientific outcomes.
Advancing quantum technology into real-world applications - 06/11/2024 QSens: BMBF future cluster brings quantum sensors of the future into medicine The BMBF-funded future cluster ‘QSens – Quantum Sensors of the Future’ is developing ultra-sensitive sensors that could open up new options in medicine, enabling faster drug research, more accurate diagnostics and improved rehabilitation. The universities of Stuttgart and Ulm are actively working with 17 industry partners to put these cutting-edge innovations to immediate practical use.