Researchers at the Faculty of Medicine – University of Freiburg have developed a new approach to specifically target an aggressive form of blood cancer while better sparing healthy immune cells. In what is known as T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), cancer cells develop from the body’s own immune defense cells. This complicates treatment, as immunotherapies studied to date can also destroy healthy immune cells.

A new treatment could improve care for people with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). In two international studies involving a total of 2,007 patients, remibrutinib reduced the annualized relapse rate by 31% to 35% compared with an established MS therapy. New inflammatory brain lesions were also significantly less frequent. In addition, there are indications that the treatment may slow the progression of physical disability.

About 250,000 people in Germany live with epilepsy that does not respond adequately to medication. How can their treatment be further improved with a brain pacemaker? As part of the CLOUDIA research project, the Medical Center – University of Freiburg is now collaborating with a medical technology company to develop an AI-supported assistance system for analyzing long-term brain activity data.

Iron is essential for healthy cells. Cancer cells also require this trace element. Researchers in Freiburg have now found evidence that high levels of iron directly in the tumor microenvironment promote the spread of certain cells in a particularly aggressive type of brain tumor known as glioblastoma. In the long term, iron metabolism could therefore serve as a target for more precisely influencing particularly invasive tumor cells.

Coughing, phlegm, and shortness of breath can be early signs of COPC. In COPD, the airways are permanently narrowed, making it harder to breathe. The most significant risk factor is long-term smoking. The CHRONOS study conducted by the Department of Pneumology at the Medical Center – University of Freiburg provides evidence that changes in the lungs can already be detected before a standard pulmonary function test confirms the airway narrowing.

The University of Freiburg took part in this year’s Käpsele Innovation Festival with contributions from the fields of research and entrepreneurship promotion. The event focused on future-oriented topics such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity and resilience, as well as on fostering dialogue and networking amongst stakeholders from the worlds of academia, business and politics.

EMUNO Therapeutics: the innate immune system as a new approach to cancer treatment - 29/07/2026

Activation of macrophages: a key factor in the fight against colorectal cancer

The mobilisation of the body’s own immune system through immune checkpoint inhibitors has revolutionised cancer therapy. However, the majority of solid tumours are able to evade immune surveillance. These so-called 'cold' tumours contain too few immune cells to respond effectively to current immunotherapies. This is where the Freiburg-based biotech start-up EMUNO Therapeutics GmbH comes in.

On July 24, 2026, the Medical Center – University of Freiburg, the University of Freiburg, and the medical technology company Siemens Healthineers opened their joint Technology Innovation Lab, for short. In the lab at the Department of Radiation Oncology, experts in medicine, medical physics, radiation biology, and data science are working together with engineers to develop and test new technologies for radiation therapy to treat cancer.

The University of Freiburg is strengthening its European collaboration in the field of Artificial Intelligence by having been accepted into the Virtual Centre of Excellence of the European AI initiative ELIAS. The Freiburg researchers contribute their expertise to the European network in areas including machine learning, computer vision, robot learning, automated reasoning, intelligent systems and neurotechnologies, as well as responsible AI.

Certain medicines contain compounds known as PFAS, which are causing increasing environmental harm due to their long-lasting effects. A report by the University of Freiburg, commissioned by the German Environment Agency, shows that many PFAS-based active ingredients used in medicines can be replaced by alternatives. Based on the findings of the report, doctors will in future be able to give preference to prescribing PFAS-free medicines.

On Thursday, 25 June 2026, several Freiburg cancer researchers were honoured at the presentation of the CRIION Joachim Frank Prize 2026. Among them was Prof. Dr Robert Zeiser, who received the Prize for Biomedical Research. Prof. Dr Jürgen Finke, PD Dr Florian Scherer and PD Dr Elisabeth Schorb of the University Medical Center Freiburg, together with Prof. Dr Gerald Illerhaus of Stuttgart Hospital, were awarded the Prize for Clinical Medicine.

On Thursday, 25 June 2026, several Freiburg cancer researchers were honoured at the presentation of the CRIION Joachim Frank Prize 2026. Among them was Prof. Dr Robert Zeiser, who received the Prize for Biomedical Research. Prof. Dr Jürgen Finke, PD Dr Florian Scherer and PD Dr Elisabeth Schorb of the University Medical Center Freiburg, together with Prof. Dr Gerald Illerhaus of Stuttgart Hospital, were awarded the Prize for Clinical Medicine.

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.

In the latest QS World University Rankings, the University of Freiburg is ranked 14th nationally. It is among the top ten German universities in three indicators. In the overall international ranking, it is ranked 245th out of more than 1,500 other universities.

The University of Freiburg and Nagoya University are strengthening their strategic partnership through a joint doctoral programme and the Nagoya University Global Campus, which serves as a permanently staffed representative office in Freiburg.

The German Chemical Industry Fund (FCI) is supporting the course offering ‘DigiChemJN’ at the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy. DigiChemJN strengthens students’ data literacy by providing them qualifications in data-based research methods, experimental datasets, and artificial intelligence (AI).

Medical Center – University of Freiburg demonstrates a fundamental therapeutic approach for hereditary immune system defects in a mouse model. The safety profile of genome editing varies significantly depending on the method and cell type.

The Medical Center – University of Freiburg has been certified for the first time as a “Center of Excellence” by the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (ENETS). The professional association recognizes specialized centers that treat rare tumor diseases in accordance with established quality standards. Neuroendocrine tumors are rare cancers that can arise from hormone-producing cells.

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.

Prof. Dr Simon Elsässer will be awarded one of this year’s Alexander von Humboldt Professorships in Berlin on 12 May 2026. With funding of five million euros, Elsässer will strengthen Freiburg’s research focus ‘Signals of Life’ over the next five years. In this interview, he discusses complex decision-making processes in cells, the significance of signals and what makes the research environment in Freiburg so special.

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

The Athletin-D project combines the universities of Bochum, Freiburg, Wuppertal and the Technical University of Munich on research into how the performance and health of female athletes could be improved in Olympic and paralympic sports. At the University of Freiburg, the sports psychologist Professor Jana Strahler is studying the interaction of hormonal processes, stress, lifestyle factors and mental health.

MRI analysis of fat and muscle distribution in more than 66,000 people provides a more accurate assessment of health risks / Poor muscle quality poses an additional risk / Study provides reference values based on age, sex, and height

Her ground-breaking research studies on the regulation of gene activity have earned Dr Angelika Feldmann the Hella Bühler Prize for 2026, which is endowed with 100,000 euros.

The University of Freiburg works closely with partners from various sectors including academia, business, politics and public administration through the Innovation Alliance Foundation Freiburg. The resolution that has been adopted reinforces the shared goal of establishing Freiburg as an attractive innovation hub with international appeal.