Medical Center – University of Freiburg has created a new miniature animation of the beating heart. To the knowledge of Medical Center – University of Freiburg, it is the first schematic 3D animation to showcase the dynamic movement of the heart in an anatomically and temporally representative manner. It shows that the heart pushes blood into the body while simultaneously drawing blood in from the veins.

It goes without saying that new drug compounds should place as little strain on the heart as possible. But how can potential effects be reliably predicted? Researchers from the NMI, Hannover Medical School (project lead), the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, and industry partners Multi Channel Systems and Foresee Biosystems are tackling this challenge in the new HEARTCORE project.

NEURA Robotics (“NEURA”), the pioneer in cognitive robotics and creator of the Neuraverse, today announced a landmark Series C financing with a total round size of up to $1.4 billion to accelerate its mission of building the world’s leading Physical AI platform. The financing brings together global leaders across AI, robotics, compute, manufacturing and industrial infrastructure.

The German Research Foundation (DFG) funds continuation of Research Training Group (RTG) 2727 “Checkpoints of Innate Immunity in Cancer and Tissue Damage”, with around €5,8 million.

The German Research Foundation (DFG) is establishing new Collaborative Research Centres and extending existing research networks. Several DZHK sites are also involved. Particular emphasis is being placed on new research approaches to inflammation and thrombosis.

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.

High blood pressure is one of the most common causes of heart attacks, strokes, kidney damage, and vascular diseases. Many people affected experience no symptoms for a long time. This is precisely why it is important to check your blood pressure regularly. To mark World Hypertension Day on May 17, the Medical Center – University of Freiburg is providing information on warning signs, diagnosis, and treatment options.

The Medical Center – University of Freiburg has implemented a new system that helps nurses identify risky situations early on and provide more targeted assistance / Motion detection is performed using radar

Digital bone twin by OSORA medical - 04/05/2026

Fractures in focus: predicting rather than waiting

Bone fractures are generally healed by the body without any issues. However, there are hundreds of thousands of cases each year in which a fracture either fails to heal or only does so slowly. To reduce the number of cases where this happens, a start-up called OSORA medical has developed methods to predict the healing process and, if necessary, make preventative adjustments.

How can you charge electric cars without plugging them into the power grid for hours on end? How can industrial robots be “refueled” during operation? And how does wireless energy transfer improve medical technology? These questions have occupied Prof. Nejila Parspour, Director of the Institute of Electrical Energy Conversion (IEW) at the University of Stuttgart, for more than twenty years.

Brain-computer interfaces can read neural signals and influence brain activity. We spoke with Pascal Fries about how this technology can benefit people with neurological and psychiatric conditions, future developments, and his views on ethical boundaries.

How does sugar affect relaxation exercises? A new study carried out by researchers from the University of Konstanz provides revealing insights into the connection between blood glucose and the autonomic nervous system: The intake of sugar counteracts relaxation.

Women who have experienced a stroke or heart attack are at a higher risk of mortality than men. Fraunhofer researchers want to improve gender-specific aftercare with a customized assistance system – thus helping to prevent further heart disease.

Why does heart function often continue to deteriorate after a heart attack, even though blood flow has been restored? A research team from the DZHK sites Heidelberg and North has now identified an important mechanism: an inflammatory switch in cardiomyocytes can impair cellular energy production and thereby drive the development of heart failure. The results were published in Nature Communications.

A certain blood protein regarded as an early indicator of Alzheimer’s disease also appears to play a role in other disorders. Researchers at DZNE and the Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research (HIH) at the University of Tübingen have found that elevated levels of phosphorylated tau protein (pTau) also occur in two lesser-known conditions that primarily affect the heart and kidneys.

Technology impulse for the Lake Constance region: The new Single Cell Centre at the University of Konstanz offers technology and expertise to study cells individually and at high resolution – for applications in medical diagnostics, medication development and basic research at universities.

A study by researchers at the University of Freiburg investigates how the scent of one’s partner influences stress reactions. The study participants showed that the subconsciously perceived scent of their respective partners increased their subjective perception of stress and caused their heart rate to rise, especially when the scent was perceived as sexually attractive.

In a joint study conducted by the DZHK sites in Heidelberg, Munich and Göttingen, researchers are deciphering how the spatial organisation of the genome in the heart determines genetic disease risks.

Can the weakened immune systems of older individuals be rejuvenated? Researchers from the DKFZ, HI-STEM*, and the Broad Institute have demonstrated that this is possible with an innovative approach. In a study, the team showed that mRNA technology can be used to transform the liver in mice into a temporary source of important immune regulatory factors that are naturally lost during aging.

The European Commission has today proposed an ambitious package of measures to improve the health of EU citizens, while ensuring the long-term resilience and competitiveness of the health sector.

Between conservative and surgical intervention - 04/12/2025

Innovative tubular prosthesis enables reversible treatment for type 2 diabetes

Severe obesity is considered a major cause of type 2 diabetes. Building on gastric bypass surgery, the Mannheim-based company Trans-Duodenal Concepts has developed an endoscopically implantable tubular prosthesis that lines the duodenum. This both reduces food intake and can restore normal blood sugar metabolism.

A team from the DZHK sites in Heidelberg/Mannheim and Berlin has discovered that a single enzyme in the heart plays a key role in determining whether the organ develops in a healthy manner. If this molecular protective factor is missing, serious congenital heart defects can develop.

EMBL scientists created SDR-seq, a tool for single-cell DNA-RNA-sequencing that studies both DNA and RNA simultaneously, linking coding and non-coding genetic variants to gene expression in the same single cell.

An imaging technique developed by Freiburg researchers provides insights into cardiac arrhythmias that can cause sudden cardiac death in animal models. The changes discovered could explain why even seemingly healthy people are sometimes affected.

With the FeMEA project – Ferroelectric Microelectrodes for Biomedical Applications – Hahn-Schickard is setting a pioneering course in bioelectronics research. The aim of the project is to develop novel microelectrode arrays in which ferroelectric materials are used as functional interfaces in CMOS chips for the first time.