Healthcare industry

The working group around Dr. Philipp Rathert at the Institute for Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry investigates the regulation of epigenetic networks of certain cancers and ways of treating them. The working group published its new findings in April.

Article - 14/01/2021

Newly discovered RNA as growth driver in liver cancer

Non-coding RNA (ncRNAs) molecules that do not encode proteins have many different functions, and some are associated with certain diseases. Prof. Dr. Sven Diederichs from the German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research and the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg has been conducting research into these molecules at the Freiburg University Medical Centre and discovered a ncRNA that regulates cell proliferation in cancer cells.

Researcher profile - 09/11/2015

Michael Boutros – from the study of social gene networks to the management of the DKFZ

Deregulation of cell signalling pathways is a major driver of cancer. Prof. Dr. Michael Boutros has pioneered the development of new methods for the analysis of genetic interactions in such complex networks. He has been acting Chairman and Scientific Member of the Management Board of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) since September 1st 2015.

Dossier - 09/02/2015

Chemical tools for biological applications

The boundaries between traditional scientific disciplines are becoming less and less distinct. Interdisciplinary cooperation is often required to study complex processes and biomolecular issues. Interdisciplinary cooperation is central to chemical biology, a scientific discipline that applies chemical substances, methods and tools to the study of biological systems ranging from the chemical synthesis of biologically active substances to the…

Dossier - 02/12/2013

RNA interference: confidence is returning

The 15-year history of RNA interference is not short on dramatic effects. It begins with the unexpected discovery and publication of the process of post-transcriptional gene silencing in 1998 for which the two Americans Andrew Fire and Craig Mello were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine just eight years after their discovery. In 2001 Thomas Tuschl succeeded in switching off genes in human cells with small synthetic pieces of RNA…

Article - 25/07/2011

Christian Thoma – the control of translation enables the rapid regulation of cellular processes

Heisenberg fellow PD Dr. Christian Thoma from the Freiburg University Medical Centre has been focusing on the regulation of translation for a number of years and has established a method that enables him to investigate translation on the molecular level. Thoma and his team have come a step closer to their goal of finding targets for the therapy of cancer and hepatitis C.

Press release - 08/06/2011

TagCyx Biotechnologies

TagCyx is a research based company located in Yokohama Kanagawa Prefecture. The core technologies of TagCyx are unnatural base pair technologies and nucleic acids stabilization technology.

Press release - 23/06/2010

Technology park „bioBAY“ - life science infrastructure the Chinese way

Being one of Baden-Württemberg’s global partner regions, the Chinese province of Jiangsu deserves special attention in the field of life sciences. The highly dynamic bioBAY park located in the city of Suzhou puts a strong emphasis on bio- and nanotechnologies. With its numerous science and business opportunities bioBAY has a lot to offer also to potential partners from Baden-Württemberg.

Article - 26/04/2010

PACT Pharmaceuticals – signalling pathways and RNA interference

In March 2010 PACT Pharmaceuticals the founding concept of Professor Dr. Michael Boutros team at the German Cancer Research Centre was selected as one of ten outstanding business concepts in the Science4Life business plan competition intermediary award. Around 200 business plans were originally submitted. PACT develops innovative cancer therapeutics that target the signalling pathways involved in tumour pathogenesis. PACT develops innovative…

Article - 14/11/2009

"A little naivety always helps"

The biotech company CureVac based in Tuebingen is working on the development of a new tumour therapy based on RNA molecules. Dr. Ingmar Hoerr one of the scientists who founded CureVac tells Christoph Bächtle about the obstacles the young company had to overcome and the tough decisions that led to success. At the very start he tells us the company owes its origins to a huge dollop of luck.

Article - 12/08/2009

More effective extraction of small RNAs

Small RNAs are gaining in importance in research as well as in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. However the potential of these molecules can only be exploited fully if very pure RNAs can be extracted from the cells in sufficiently high quantities. Currently used methods are expensive and only designed for large cell quantities. In addition the operation of the extraction systems is very complicated. A new biochip developed by Dr.…

Mayers major interest is cell division which he sees as an interesting and also a beautiful aesthetic process. Prof. Dr. Thomas U. Mayer occupies the chair of molecular genetics at the University of Constance where he enjoys working in close contact with colleagues from the field of chemistry.

What is the difference between knowledge and science? Why did the biotech bubble develop in the first place? Find out more as we talk to the freelance science journalist Sascha Karberg.