Healthcare industry

Gravitation biologist Dr. Ralf Anken of the University of Hohenheim talks about his research with fish in an interview with Sandra Leppin from Hohenheim University. Anken At zero gravity the impressions received by the eyes and the organs of equilibrium do not coincide.

As one of the people who initiated the establishment of EMBL and in his role as founding director of the ZMBH Hermann Bujard has made a considerable contribution to the transformation of Heidelberg into a leading location for molecular and biological research in Germany. As the director of EMBO Bujard is now promoting the development of molecular biosciences across Europe.

The new BPI office in Brussels will represent the European interests of German location-oriented pharmaceutical companies at European institutions. It is headed by Dr. Alexander Natz a lawyer who previously worked for the Sträter law firm in Bonn.

Applications written in English must be submitted to DFG by 31st March 2008.

In 1998 James Thomson was the first to generate stem cells from human embryos. BIOPRO will present the new methods in the field of embryonic stem cell research. Stem cell experts regeneration biologists medics and ethicists will explain whether they think that the new methods are useful or not.

European Commission Vice President Günter Verheugen launched Enterprise Europe Network a new and powerful European support network for enterprises. All major players of the business support community in Europe have united to offer a one-stop service to assist especially small and medium sized enterprises.

A new funding module from the German Research Foundation provides funding to the tune of up to 1.25 million euros.

The University of Tübingen opened its new laboratory for Preclinical Imaging and Imaging Technology of the Werner Siemens Foundation. The professorship is the only one in Europe combining preclinical imaging and the development of new imaging technologies.

Press release - 10/02/2008

First Baden-Württemberg university approved for embryonic stem cell research

The biochemist Prof. Marcel Leist from Constance is the first Baden-Württemberg scientist to be authorised to undertake research using embryonic stem cells. Leist is investigating the effect of drugs and chemicals on human nerve cells.

Article - 10/02/2008

4th Biomarker Workshop at the NMI in Reutlingen: another success

The Biomarker Workshop held at the NMI in late January has become a fixed date for a growing number of proteomics researchers. With an attendance of 130 this years workshop exceeded all previous ones. Those who were keen to find out more about the latest trends and findings were presented with a successful mix of basic and applied research information.

Nycomed has granted Sepracor Inc. NASDAQ SEPR the exclusive development marketing and commercialisation rights for Ciclesonide in the United States. Ciclesonide is Nycomeds patented corticosteroid with a novel principle of action.

The CEOs of pharmaceutical and life science companies are becoming increasingly aware that their companies are facing growing challenges and risks at the global level. At the same time they are also aware of more and more opportunities.

Karin Bundschuh of BIOPRO Baden-Württemberg asked Dr. Jens Clausen how these developments should be viewed from an ethical perspective. The bioethicist spent many years studying the status of embryos the ethics of cloning and stem cell research.

A new specialist outpatient clinic at the University Hospital of Ulm is treating haemochromatosis sufferers and is investigating the causes of this disease. Haemochromatosis which as the effect of poisoning the body is one of the most frequent hereditary diseases.

Nycomed and its licence holder Wyeth Pharmaceuticals a division of Wyeth NYSEWYE today announced the U.S. launch of an own generic version of PROTONIX Pantoprazole tablets in response to the at-risk launch of generic Pantoprazole tablets by Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.

The Theatrum Anatomicum enriches medical training at the University of Ulm. That is the unanimous verdict of the lecturers involved in medical training. The Theatrum is a fully equipped demonstration operation theatre with standing room for approximately 70 people.

Article - 07/02/2008

New life sciences centre in Ulm

The new Life Science Centre will house eleven interfaculty research groups dealing with aspects of tissue regeneration. The state of Baden-Württemberg and the University both expressed their high expectations for the centre at the official opening.

A software developed by the Stuttgart-based Systemhaus Schegel covers all activities related to administering cultures it guarantees the foolproof production and propagation of plants and when printed out on a thermal printer incorporates all the necessary information on a barcode label.

Article - 06/02/2008

German Bundestag positive about new Genetic Engineering Law

The German Bundestag gave the go ahead for the new version of the German Genetic Engineering Law. The new version incorporates the introduction of the Not genetically engineered label as well as stricter regulations on the cultivation of genetically modified plants.

Article - 05/02/2008

Protecting the liver from oxygen stress

The Emmy Noether junior research group in the Department of Surgery at the University Hospital of Heidelberg is to be funded with 1.2 million over the next five years. The group will focus on how tissue damage in donor livers can be prevented. The group headed by Dr. Martin Schneider.

According to estimates by the German Federal Minister of Research and Education Annette Schavan Germany is on the right path towards the objective of spending three per cent of the countrys gross domestic product on research and development RD by the year 2010.

The new University Clinic for Dermatology Venerology and Allergology building located on the Mannheim hospital campus has now been opened. The hospital directed by Prof. Dr. med. Sergij Goerdt treats approximately 2000 patients on an inpatient basis.

Dossier - 01/02/2008

Glycobiotechnology - sugar research is picking up speed

Alongside DNA and proteins sugar structures play an important role in cellular transport and communication processes. They are also part of the molecular control and regulation machinery making them of particular interest to biotechnologists. The pharmaceutical industry as well as the food sector and material sciences have realised the potential of sugar structures.

Victor Sourjik received the prize for his research in the field of cellular signalling and as support for his research project on the analysis of bacterial chemotaxis. The award comes with a purse of 100000 which the beneficiary can use to carry out research projects.

VC-facts has published the Life Sciences Venture Capital Yearbook for the first time 2007. It shows that the total volume of financing in the life sciences amounts to 438.65 million euros.