Researchers are developing biotechnological processes that enable microbes to produce proteins and vitamins for human consumption using basic chemical ingredients, such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen and oxygen – entirely bypassing livestock farming and agriculture. Because these methods also require energy input, they are popularly called “power-to-protein” and “power-to-vitamin” processes.

New in Nature Nanotechnology: A DNA origami nanosyringe introduces mechanically controlled molecular transport into synthetic cells. This opens new opportunities for synthetic biology, engineered biointerfaces and molecular therapeutics.

A team led by researchers from the German Cancer Research Center, the HI-STEM* Stem Cell Institute, and Medical Clinic V at Heidelberg University Hospital has characterized T cells in the bone marrow in cases of multiple myeloma and acute myeloid leukemia: A specific group of tumor-reactive T cells can recognize and fight cancer cells, but is often not sufficiently activated. Nevertheless, the number of these cells influences the prognosis.

Researchers from the Medical Faculty Heidelberg, the Medical Faculty Mannheim, and the Centre for Organismal Studies at Heidelberg University have launched a new research project investigating so-called dipeptides. The consortium aims to determine which dipeptides have the strongest protective effects and how they could be harnessed in future therapies for vascular and kidney diseases.

Researchers use synthetic biology approaches to test hundreds of DNA sequences for their effect on regulating gene expression. The human genome contains over 20,000 genes. However, at any given time and in a given cell, only a fraction of them are active. Researchers from EMBL Heidelberg’s Krebs Group have come up with an innovative experimental approach to understand how cells determine which genes to turn on and when.

Researchers from Heidelberg University’s Faculty of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have uncovered key mechanisms underlying the proliferation of the malaria parasite Plasmodium. The molecular processes that govern the formation of infectious daughter parasites and new nuclei are essential for parasite survival and may therefore represent targets for future antimalarial therapies.

The international research project MitoContact is dedicated to investigating how organelles within a cell communicate and interact with other cellular components. Kai Johnsson, Director at the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, has received funding from the ERC for this project. The findings are expected to provide new insights into fundamental cellular processes and contribute to a better understanding of various diseases.

A team of researchers from the Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies and the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research have developed a model that learns how to generate proteins whose structures are highly flexible, even with patterns that are uncommon in natural proteins. Their work, marks a step towards the goal of designing new proteins for applications in biotechnology, therapeutics and environmental research.

Researchers have designed synthetic and inducible proteins that bind to bright fluorescent dyes with high specificity and affinity, significantly expanding the toolkit for multicolour imaging of proteins inside cells.

The Friends of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) support the DKFZ and aim to help strengthen its position in the international arena. With the DKFZ Innovation Award, presented at this year’s annual reception, the association honors Helmut Salih, a researcher whose innovative work bridges the gap between immunological research and patient care.

A novel vaccination strategy against certain malignant brain tumors could fundamentally improve treatment for patients. Researchers from the German Cancer Research Center, Mannheim University Medical Center, Heidelberg University Hospital, and numerous partner institutions* have published encouraging long-term results from a clinical trial involving a vaccine that activates the immune system against a common genetic mutation in these tumors.

Through its “Proof of Concept” (PoC) grants, the European Research Council (ERC) supports scientists in further developing the economic potential of their research findings. In 2026, two scientists from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) were once again selected to receive this prestigious funding: Moritz Mall and Chong Sun.

A team led by researchers from the German Cancer Research Center and the HI-STEM* Stem Cell Institute has discovered a new approach to treating advanced colorectal cancer. The study identifies a key marker of particularly aggressive and treatment-resistant colorectal cancer cells. At the same time, the researchers demonstrate using models that already approved drugs targeting this marker can specifically attack the metastasis-initiating cells.

Four doctoral candidates from Heidelberg University have the opportunity to exchange ideas with outstanding scientists. They are set to take part in the 75th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, which is being held in Lindau from 28 June to 3 July 2026. Jana Braunger, Tim Schubert, Laura Rueda Gensini and Nathan Trausch are among around 600 young researchers who have been selected for their outstanding academic achievements.

Gelatin is a versatile natural material. To tailor its properties specifically to the various applications in medicine, diagnostics, and cosmetics, the Fraunhofer IGB has developed a toolbox for chemical functionalization. With the help of automated processes, the modifications can now be scaled under defined conditions, and reproducible batches of modified gelatin can be produced on a scale ranging from grams to kg for customer sampling.

In rare cases, cancer treatments can cause serious long-term effects. These include so-called secondary leukemias. This form of blood cancer can develop when chemotherapy or radiotherapy damages the genetic material of healthy cells. A research team led by a scientist from Ulm has now discovered a molecular protective mechanism against such genomic damage: a peptide.

Which cellular processes ensure that immune responses are controlled precisely? A new study by the Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology Thurgau (BITG) and the University of Konstanz decodes a decisive signalling pathway.

Joint press release of the Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine at Heidelberg University and the German Center for Infection Research: With the FDA approval of Hepcludex (bulevirtide), a therapy for chronic hepatitis D developed at the Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine at Heidelberg University, Heidelberg University Hospital, and the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) has now reached the world’s most important pharmaceutical market.

Different types of bone marrow stem cells give rise to blood and immune cells. A team led by Simon Haas now reports in ​“Nature Cell Biology” how that diversity develops. The findings could help improve stem cell therapies, including treatments for blood cancers.

The Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 1550 “Molecular Circuits of Heart Disease” at Heidelberg University is entering its second funding period. The German Research Foundation (DFG) has approved approximately EUR 17.4 million in funding for the next four years. The spokesperson is Johannes Backs, Professor of Experimental Cardiology at the Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine.

Prof. Dr Simon Elsässer will be awarded one of this year’s Alexander von Humboldt Professorships in Berlin on 12 May 2026. With funding of five million euros, Elsässer will strengthen Freiburg’s research focus ‘Signals of Life’ over the next five years. In this interview, he discusses complex decision-making processes in cells, the significance of signals and what makes the research environment in Freiburg so special.

Konstanz molecular biologist Elke Deuerling has been admitted to the German National Academy of Sciences, the "Leopoldina". By selecting Elke Deuerling as a member, the Academy recognizes her outstanding contributions to the field of life sciences, particularly to proteostasis research.

Scientists from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and the HI-STEM* Stem Cell Institute have deciphered a key mechanism that contributes to treatment failure in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). They show that there are not just one, but four different subtypes of leukemia stem cells. This diversity could explain why one of the most important AML drugs does not work sufficiently in some patients or loses its effectiveness over time.

Within biological cells, molecules are constantly in motion. Investigating these motions, however, is still difficult, due to the fact that these processes occur on very small length and time scales. To overcome these challenges, researchers from HITS and MPI-P have developed a simulation method that works rapidly and can predict chemical processes in cells with high precision. Their findings have been published in Nature Communications.