Healthcare industry

Results obtained by scientists at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University Hospital of Heidelberg show that in contrast to previous assumptions the tumour necrosis factor alpha TNF-alpha has no influence on pain and mobility.

Eight projects in the preclinical and first clinical stage will be transferred to 4SC. Nycomed decided not to further invest in oncology RD activities. 4SC develops drug candidates for inflammatory diseases cancer and infectious diseases.

The Hartmann Group based in Heidenheim continues to grow in the first quarter of 2008. Sales increased 6.3 over the last year sales volume increased 7.1. The company expects further growth in sales and volume for the year 2008.

In Germany one couple in ten is unable to conceive naturally. There are a number of different in vitro fertilisation methods available for those who wish to have children. However the potential risks to the child are still unknown.

Article - 20/06/2008

No unanimous feedback possible

At the beginning of the year 2009 the first bachelors degree students will graduate from Furtwangen University of Applied Science in disciplines including bio- and process technology BPT and medical technology MEB. What does the first generation of bachelors students think about their life sciences courses? Karin Bundschuh from the Freiburg BioRegion talked with the Universitys academic dean Professor Anton Karle and some students.

The optics and electronics specialist Carl Zeiss AG Oberkochen is optimistic about the first six months of 20072008 30th September despite decreasing investment activity in the semiconductor industry. For the second six months the company expects a slight slowdown in the revenues the company generates in this business group. In the first half of the fiscal year the Semiconductor Technology Group recorded further strong growth up 16 and generated…

Cells with irreparable DNA damage normally induce programmed cell death, or apoptosis. However, this mechanism often fails in tumor cells so that transformed cells are able to multiply and spread throughout the body. Scientists at the German Cancer Research Center have now discovered a possible cause of this failure.

Article - 17/06/2008

"Study and work abroad!”"

Quick practically oriented and above all international The new bachelor and masters degrees in the natural sciences have been introduced to bring German university qualifications into line with the requirements of the international job market as well as to facilitate the uncomplicated exchange of scientists across the globe. However not everything always works out as planned. Research abroad is often limited by time and money.

Among the 20 winners in the first round of the BMBF contest Health Regions of the Future were five concepts from Baden-Württemberg. In the coming nine months the chosen health regions will turn their concepts into full proposals.

Apogenix GmbH a biopharmaceutical company announced the closing of its second financing round. dievini Hopp BioTech holding GmbH Co. KG the investment company of SAP co-founder Dietmar Hopp was the main investor.

Cerebral haemorrhage accounts for about 15 per cent of all incidences of stroke. About 80 per cent of survivors are left with a severe disability. An international trial has shown that the Factor VIIa protein might reduce the extent of cerebral haemorrhage.

Many cancer patients lose a lot of weight Free fatty acids accumulate in the liver and this eventually leads to fatty liver in affected patients. What is called tumor cachexia appears to be caused by signals emitted by the tumor itself.

The interdisciplinary team in the Clinical Pharmacy Cooperation Unit at the University Hospital of Heidelberg has developed a tool for preventing errors when medication is changed.

ResearchGATE which was launched at the end of May 2008 is a free web-based science environment for scientists. Registered users can set up their personal profiles and present their scientific work as well as exchange information with other scientists.

In the Centre of Applied Photonics CAP at the University of Constance interdisciplinary teams of researchers are working on new optical technologies with a special focus on laser technology.

Professor Heiko Möller teaches chemistry at the University of Constance and is a specialist in nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. He enjoys working with other people including colleagues from the field of chemistry and also biologists and tropical disease specialists. Möller returned from the USA to accept a junior professor position at Constance University.

Cochlear implants can restore hearing to many of those afflicted with deafness. Prof. Robert Illing from the University of Freiburg explores the plastic properties of the nervous system that facilitate the application of these implants.

Article - 09/06/2008

Moderate growth

In 2007 the German biotechnology sector was marked by moderate growth. Turnover climbed over two billion euros and research and development expenditure reached one billion euros. These are the central findings of the latest company survey carried out by biotechnologie.de.

Deadline for submitting preliminary proposals written in English is the 30th June 2008.

Prof. Bernd Bukaus team from the Centre for Molecular Biology at the University of Heidelberg has succeeded for the very first time in gaining an understanding of the molecular mechanisms that enable cells to dissolve stress-related protein aggregates.

Companies of the German Medical Technology Association BVMed have founded the Cataract Initiative an information platform for patients and other interested parties that provides information on the benefits of modern intraocular lenses.

Scientists at the University Hospital of Ulm and the Hanover Medical School MHH have succeeded in deciphering genetic defects in patients suffering from acute myeloid leukaemia. Their findings allow for more individualised therapies in the future.

A new surgical repair of the aorta that obviates the necessity to open the thorax and the abdominal cavity is highly suited to high-risk patients that could not previously be operated due to concomitant diseases or previous surgery.

The German Research Foundation will continue to fund the Transregional Collaborative Research Centre Inflammatory Cardiomyopathy - Molecular Pathogenesis and Therapy for another four years with a total of 10 million euros. The Department of Cardiology of the University Hospital of Tübingen will also become part of the SFB.

CureVac GmbH has entered into a partnership with the Department of Urology University of Florida Gainesville U.S. to jointly advance its lead candidate CV9103 into the clinical development. The alliance covers preclinical studies and a US phase III trial.