Designing protein binders from scratch has long been a daunting challenge within the field of computational biology. Researchers have now developed an innovative, training-free pipeline that uses the fundamental principle of shape complementarity to design site-specific protein binders, which are then optimised to fit precisely onto chosen target sites. The researchers tested this on proteins linked to cancer.

Scientists at the Max Planck Institutes for Medical Research in Heidelberg with its new departments based in Heilbronn, and for Neurobiology of Behavior – caesar in Bonn, and at the Institute for Basic Science at Yonsei University in Seoul will pool their expertise in future. The aim of the new Max Planck Center is to visualize cellular processes deep within human tissue and influence them in a targeted manner — without damaging the tissue.

How can the transformation to increase sustainability in hospitals succeed? Participants in the SustainMed project presented their answers at the closing event on 27 June 2025 in Stuttgart. The Ministry of the Environment, Climate Protection and the Energy Sector Baden-Württemberg provided approximately 500,000 euros in funding to develop solutions for goals such as reducing volumes of waste in hospitals.

Stem cell-like leukemia cells are responsible for relapses in children and adolescents with a certain type of blood cancer, T-ALL. Researchers at the Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), the Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit and the German Cancer Research Center were able to show this in a study. The results could help to overcome resistance in this form of blood cancer and prevent relapses.

Konstanz researchers identify an enzyme that plays a role in the migration of cells in our body - not only during normal tissue formation and wound healing, but also when tumor cells metastasize. This makes the enzyme an interesting candidate for potential future therapeutic approaches.

Medical students at Ulm University can train in a virtual shock room and practise treatment procedures regardless of time and place. Together with the company TriCAT, the Medical Faculty has created a virtual learning environment that is based on the real-life training shock room in the TTU training hospital. The benefit: through repeated training, students deepen their skills and become more confident in dealing with emergencies.

A team of researchers from HITS and MPIP 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, presented at the International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML), marks a step towards the goal of designing new proteins for applications in biotechnology, therapeutics and environmental research.

ngredients of our daily diet – including caffeine – can influence the resistance of bacteria to antibiotics. This has been shown in a new study by a team of researchers at the Universities of Tübingen and Würzburg. They discovered bacteria such as E. coli orchestrate complex regulatory cascades to react to chemical stimuli from their direct environment which can influence the effectiveness of antimicrobial drugs.

Diabetics have a higher risk of colorectal cancer and often a poorer prognosis after developing the disease. The biological mechanisms behind this association were largely unknown. A research team at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) has now discovered that tumors with a low number of immune cells appear to be particularly susceptible to the harmful effects of diabetes.

Many people with cancer experience dramatic loss of muscle and fat tissue. In many cases, even the heart muscle is affected. This wasting syndrome, affects around half of all cancer patients. Researchers from Helmholtz Munich, in collaboration with Heidelberg University Hospital, the Technical University of Munich, and the German Center for Diabetes Research, have now identified a previously overlooked driver of cachexia: the liver.

Sepsis is one of the most dangerous medical emergencies. The condition is the result of a misdirected immune response to an infection, which can quickly lead to organ failure and death. Every hour counts – but early detection is difficult. A new study from Heidelberg now presents an innovative approach: artificial intelligence (AI) and hyperspectral imaging of the skin enable immediate and non-invasive sepsis diagnosis directly at the bedside.

Study led by the University of Tübingen: many non-antibiotics weaken the natural protective function of the intestine – with consequences for the colonization with pathogenic bacteria

AI-supported image recognition accelerates identification of zebrafish mutants - 16/07/2025

EmbryoNet AI automatically identifies developmental disorders

In complex organisms, embryonic development is tightly regulated by intricate signalling pathways. When these pathways are disrupted, they can lead to characteristic developmental defects that are not easy to detect with the naked eye. Developmental biologist Prof. Dr. Patrick Müller from the University of Konstanz has developed EmbryoNet, an AI-powered software tool that uses image analysis to reliably identify such developmental disorders.

Do infectious disease outbreaks breed political mistrust? Ore Koren, Indiana University Bloomington (USA), and Nils Weidmann, University of Konstanz (Germany), have found out that they do. Their study was recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS).

Researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics in Freiburg and ETH Zürich have created the first integrated map detailing the metabolic and molecular changes in human blood stem cells as they age, specialize, or turn cancerous. Their innovative research, made possible by highly sensitive low-input techniques, identifies the nutrient choline, as a key player in preserving youthful stem cell traits.

With its Proof of Concept grants, the European Research Council (ERC) supports scientists in further developing the economic potential of their research results. Two scientists from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have now received this coveted funding for the second time.

The protein SNAP-tag is a powerful tool for labeling proteins with synthetic fluorophores for bioimaging. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research in Heidelberg have engineered a much improved version named SNAP-tag2 as well as optimized substrates for faster labeling in live cells.

An international research team has deciphered a mechanism of evolutionary arms race in human cells. The findings provide insights into how mobile elements in DNA hijack cellular functions – and how cells can defend themselves against this in order to prevent conditions such as tumour formation or chronic inflammation.

Researchers at the German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) have identified a key molecule involved in a form of heart failure that has so far been difficult to treat.

The ability of protein kinases to transfer a phosphate group to target proteins plays an important role in many cellular processes. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research have now developed a novel molecular tool that can monitor these kinase activities both spatially and temporally. This makes it possible to investigate the link between kinase activities and cellular phenotypes in heterogenous cell populations and in vivo.

Cancer can take decades for cancer-promoting changes in the genome to eventually lead to the formation of a malignant tumor. Researchers at the German Cancer Research Center have now developed a method that allows for the first time to reconstruct the temporal development—the evolution—of cancerous cells from a single tissue sample.

An international team of researchers led by Konstanz biologists has identified a molecular mechanism that regulates the activity of N-myristoyltransferases. This enzyme plays a role in biological signalling pathways, where dysregulation can lead to serious illness.

Investing in a healthier future: The HORNBACH Group is supporting the new National Cancer Prevention Center in Heidelberg with a donation of five million euros. In the future, a new laboratory will conduct research into more effective early detection and screening methods.

Scientists have been working on the artificial production of blood for several decades. Making a new discovery, researchers from the Institute for Cellular Biology and Immunology Thurgau at the University of Konstanz, in collaboration with Queen Mary University of London, have come an important step closer to this goal.

The skeletal muscles of men and women process glucose and fats in different ways. A study provides the first comprehensive molecular analysis of these differences. The results possibly give an explanation why metabolic diseases such as diabetes manifest differently in women and men – and why they respond differently to physical activity.

The European Commission has launched a new strategy to make Europe the most attractive place in the world for life sciences by 2030. Life sciences – the study of living systems, from cells to ecosystems – are central to our health, environment and economy. They drive innovation in medicine, food and sustainable production, adding nearly €1.5 trillion in value to the EU economy and supporting 29 million jobs across the Union.

Computer tool opens up new ways to address antibiotic resistance - 02/07/2025

PhARIS identifies effective phages against multi-resistant bacteria

Bacteriophages - viruses that specifically attack and destroy bacteria - are emerging as promising alternatives to antibiotics in the fight against drug-resistant infections. To speed this effort, researchers have created PhARIS, a computational tool that mines genomic data to pinpoint phages that are effective against S. aureus. By rapidly matching phage and pathogen, PhARIS can accelerate the development of targeted phage therapies.

Felix Glang, of the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics in Tübingen, has been awarded the Otto Hahn Medal in recognition of his achievements in developing new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods. Glang's methods enable clearer and faster brain scans.

For his outstanding achievements in his doctorate at the interface between chemistry and biology, Jonas Wilhelm is awarded an Otto Hahn Medal 2025 by the Max Planck Society. He wrote his thesis in the department Chemical Biology of Kai Johnsson at the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research. In his doctorate, Jonas Wilhelm developed a molecular tool, a biosensor that records and permanently stores biological activities at the cellular level.

Computer scientist Annika Reinke from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) has been awarded the Hector Foundation Prize 2025, endowed with €10,000, for her outstanding work in the field of AI-supported medical image analysis. She received the award for the project Metrics Reloaded, which can significantly improve the quality and reliability of AI-supported image analysis.

Diagnostic tool for people with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis - 17/06/2025

Chronic inflammatory bowel disease - using an app to sustainably improve everyday life

Keeping appointments? Planning everyday life? For people living with chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), sudden and unpredictable flare-ups can severely limit their ability to participate in daily life. The start-up coreway aims to improve the quality of life for individuals affected by IBD by leveraging data-driven insights and contributing to the advancement of personalised medicine.

Sarcomas in soft tissue usually occur in young people and are difficult to treat. Due to a lack of laboratory models, the causes of their development are poorly understood. A team of researchers has now succeeded in creating mouse models with a functioning immune system that replicate sarcoma types that remain unstudied. The method opens up new avenues for the targeted development of immunotherapies for children and adolescents with sarcomas.

Acquisition will strengthen the mRNA-based cancer immunotherapy candidates, marking BioNTech’s milestone in its oncology strategy. Acquisition of CureVac will complement BioNTech’s capabilities and proprietary technologies in mRNA design, delivery formulations, and mRNA manufacturing. All-stock acquisition has potential to create value for both companies’ shareholders given their complementary capabilities, focus on mRNA, and shared vision.

Textiles functionalized with antiviral agents are intended to reduce the risk of transmission of pathogens, particularly in a medical environment. These antiviral properties must be carefully tested and verified in laboratory tests. The biological testing laboratory of the German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf has examined antiviral activities with coronaviruses as part of a research project on textiles for infection control.

Colorectal cancer screening programs are currently underutilized in Germany. This also applies to testing for blood in the stool. The immunological stool tests can detect tiny amounts of blood in the stool. Scientists at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have investigated whether smartphone-based testing could be a meaningful alternative or supplement to traditional laboratory tests.

Cell-based solution in place of animal testing - 05/06/2025

Innovative cell-based test to detect pyrogens in drugs

Drug safety testing for microbial contaminants and fever-inducing substances (pyrogens) still frequently uses animal experiments. InnoZell, a start-up that will soon be spun off from the University of Konstanz, has developed a compelling alternative: an animal-free, human cell-based assay that is faster, more sensitive and more reliable than traditional methods – and can be customised to meet user-specific needs.

Scientists at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have shown in an international eye-tracking study that dermatologists not only improve their diagnostic accuracy by using explainable artificial intelligence, but also show significantly less fatigue when assessing challenging cases. The researchers were able to demonstrate this by measuring a reduction in cognitive stress indicators.

Tübingen achieves remarkable success and has good chance of maintaining its University of Excellence title – Top research in three areas to be sustained from other sources of support.

The reservoir of blood stem cells shrinks with age. It becomes increasingly dominated by stem cells that produce immune cells associated with chronic inflammation. Almost all of the 60-year-olds studied show this change. The new discovery could help explain the chronic inflammation that occurs with age and makes us more susceptible to disease. It could also help identify early warning signs of unhealthy aging processes.

Many people are infected with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and most are unaware of it. However, EBV can sometimes cause cancer, and this pathogen also appears to play an important role in multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. Researchers have discovered that EBV increases the ability of infected immune cells to migrate. In this way, the pathogen promotes its spread in the body – a discovery that may have therapeutic implications.

Life-saving smartphone app delivers rapid help during cardiac arrest - 19/05/2025

Do smartphone-based first responder alerting systems increase the chances of survival in the event of cardiac arrest?

Every minute counts when the heart suddenly stops beating or pumps so weakly that the brain is no longer receiving enough oxygen. The HEROES trial, coordinated in Freiburg, is investigating whether the survival rate of patients requiring out-of-hospital resuscitation improves when qualified first responders are alerted via the ‘Region of Lifesavers’ app - enabling them to begin high-quality resuscitation measures as early as possible.

A building with 7400 m² of research space for robotics and artificial intelligence is being built on the Max Planck Campus in Büsnau. Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (MPI-IS) and the University of Stuttgart will be working there with partners from science and industry as well as start-ups from 2027.

Dr Dr Varun Venkataramani and Dr Moritz Mall have been awarded this year’s Hella Bühler Prize for their outstanding research on the interaction between nerve and tumor cells and on tumor plasticity. The award granted by Heidelberg University goes to young researchers from the Heidelberg research location who have already drawn attention to themselves through the outstanding scientific quality of their cancer research.

VDI Guideline 5708 “Bioprinting, methods and definitions”: What sounds technical and sober at first glance is an important step forward in the future field of 3D bioprinting. The guideline was developed under Dr. Hanna Hartmann from the NMI in Reutlingen and Prof. Dr. Jürgen Groll from the University Hospital of Würzburg. It creates a binding, practical basis for reproducible and quality-assured bioprinting procedures.

On May 9, 2025, representatives from the life sciences industry in North Carolina and Baden-Württemberg met in Stuttgart for professional exchange. The goal of the event was to explore opportunities for collaboration in biotechnology, medical technology, and pharmaceutical research.

Medulloblastomas, childhood brain tumors in children, are thought to develop between the first trimester of pregnancy and the end of the first year of life. Researchers have now published their findings in the journal Nature. They analyzed the genetic changes of each individual cancer cell in tumor samples in order to reconstruct which genetic changes occur first during tumor development and when.

A research team led by PD Dr. Justus Marquet and from the Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research has developed two methods that allow muscle activity and training-induced adaptations to be measured completely contactlessly. The studies demonstrate that magnetic fields generated during muscle activity can be captured using highly sensitive quantum sensors - without the need for electrodes or skin contact.

Animal-free testing of chemicals and cosmetics - 07/05/2025

Human reporter skin for visualsing skin reactions

Before new cosmetics can be placed on the market, all ingredients must undergo rigorous testing for safety and efficacy. Dr. Anke Burger-Kentischer of the Fraunhofer IGB has long been at the forefront of animal-free research and has developed an innovative method to quickly and reliably test cosmetics and other chemicals without using animals. She was awarded the 2024 Hamburg Research Prize for her groundbreaking ‘reporter skin’ in vitro model.

This year Furtwangen University (HFU) is launching the “HFU Skills4MedTec” project to further enhance its profile as a leading authority in medical technology and to develop targeted scientific training courses for specialists and managers in the industry.

3D bioprinting is a great hope in the field of regenerative medicine to produce miniaturized tissues and organ precursors with biological functionality. Today, however, scientists are still working on the challenge of producing a printable and at the same time compatible starting material.

New treatment methods: DNA origami-based nanodevices precisely control immune response - 24/04/2025

Bottom-up synthetic immunology for novel therapeutic approaches

Modern therapies for combating cancer and infectious diseases increasingly leverage the body’s own immune system. Several research groups at Heidelberg University are using innovative bottom-up approaches in synthetic immunology to develop new treatment methods that can control the immune response more precisely than previously possible.

Individuals with a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s disease show altered blood levels indicating damaged neuronal contacts as early as 11 years before the expected onset of dementia symptoms. This is evident in the levels of the protein “beta-synuclein”. An international team report these findings in the journal “Alzheimer’s & Dementia”. The biomarker studied here could potentially help to detect neurodegeneration at an early stage.

The human brain continuously processes sensory impulses that compete for our attention. Our ability to select enables us to process specific information and ignore irrelevant stimuli. In this way, we can recognize a familiar face in a large crowd of people. But how is this made possible?

The “Digital Integration and Innovation in Surgery” project aims to promote the transfer of new findings and research results into practice. The School of Informatics at Reutlingen University will work together with Furtwangen University, BioMedTech e.V., University Hospital Tübingen and other stakeholders to examine how intelligent digital assistance systems can contribute to improved patient care during surgical procedures.

Contact with pets reduces the risk of developing stress-related disorders in adult life in urban children. This is the conclusion of a study conducted by the Section for Molecular Psychosomatic Medicine at Ulm University Hospital together with other researchers from Germany and the USA. Living with animals is said to alleviate inflammatory stress reactions.

Melanie Börries, Professor of Medical Bioinformatics at the Medical Faculty of the University of Freiburg and Director of the Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine at the Medical Center – University of Freiburg, is being honoured for her pioneering work in personalised cancer therapy.

Baden-Württemberg AI Alliance - 08/04/2025

Achieving widespread use of AI

Artificial intelligence presents both opportunities and risks. The Baden-Württemberg AI Alliance is dedicated to fostering collaboration among AI stakeholders to ensure that AI solutions deliver tangible benefits to citizens and businesses across the state. The alliance will also place greater emphasis on advancing AI applications within the healthcare sector.

The Medical Faculty Heidelberg of Heidelberg University and Mannheim University of Applied Sciences are combining their expertise in infectious disease research, mass spectrometry, and bioinformatics to overcome resistance in malaria vectors. The project is supported by funding from the Gates Foundation.

Metastatic breast cancer requires complex and lengthy treatment, the side effects of which affect the quality of life of patients. These often include sexual problems. In a large international randomized exercise intervention trial, researchers have now shown that women who received a nine-month supervised exercise program reported significantly fewer symptoms than women who did not participate in the training program.

Germany's most important award for young scientists honors the development of immunotherapies against malignant brain tumors.

Researchers from the universities in Konstanz and Vienna discover a new class of antibiotic that selectively targets Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacterium that causes gonorrhoea. These substances trigger a self-destruction program, which also operates in multi-resistant variants of the pathogen. The novel findings are published in the current issue of Nature Microbiology.

84 percent of Germans consciously consider their diet. For the majority, nutrition is a central topic, but many perceive the public debate as divisive and patronising. According to the latest nutrition study by the Robert Bosch Stiftung and the More in Common, citizens want policies that promote healthy, regional, and affordable food – without regulations or bans. At the same time, they are calling for more say in shaping the food system.

Two molecular control factors play a decisive role in what is known as splicing, the cutting and assembly of mature messenger RNA – a prerequisite for protein synthesis in the cell. The poorly characterized factors are crucial to ensuring that the molecular machine responsible for splicing is working correctly. A research team has deciphered how the two cellular quality inspectors work.

SpecPlate: an innovative multiwell plate - 26/03/2025

Focus on innovative drug development - accurate, time- and cost-saving

Drug research is a complex and costly process that requires extensive laboratory analyses and vast quantities of consumables, with disposable sample carriers in particular being used in their millions. PHABIOC GmbH has come up with a solution in the form of the SpecPlate, a ground-breaking alternative to sample carriers that reduces the time taken to perform analyses as well as the quantity of materials consumed. Serial production is underway.

Researchers at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have succeeded in identifying a resistance mechanism that often occurs in a specific targeted therapy against chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The drug ibrutinib is effective in many cases, but therapy resistance often develops during the course of treatment. In cell culture experiments and in mice, the resistance mechanism was successfully overcome using a second drug.