Healthcare industry

Some scientists have their career path totally mapped out from the beginning not so Prof. Dr. Regine Peschka-Süss from the University of Freiburg. She takes the time to re-assess whether she is on the right track and if necessary makes changes. Peschka-Süss is currently working on the optimisation of carriers for gene therapeutic compounds.

In contrast to the USA human granulocytic anaplasmosis infection rarely occurs in Germany. Dr. Friederike von Loewenich at the Freiburg Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene are investigating the reason for this discrepancy.

The medical importance of vitamin D calciferol is most likely even higher than suggested by recently published studies. A study which also involves the endocrinologist Bernhard Böhm from Ulm has attracted enormous attention as it suggests that vitamin D deficiency increases mortality.

Under the agreement Nycomed will receive the exclusive worldwide rights to develop manufacture and commercialise the subcutaneous formulation of veltuzumab for the treatment of all non-cancer indications.

Patients will often see several doctors. Computer scientists at the Centre for Information and Medical Technology at the University of Heidelberg are developing a new electronic patient file to enable the smooth transfer of patient data.

Press release - 28/07/2008

The processing of olfactory cues in animals

Olfactory researchers have received the go-ahead for a DFG priority programme coordinated by the University of Constance. Funding will be provided for research projects dealing with animals sense of smell and what happens in the brain during this process.

Press release - 27/07/2008

White blood cells with 'icing' work far better

Scientists from Heidelberg Munich and Aachen have shown that the adhesion molecules required by leukocytes to adhere to vascular walls depend on sugar chains for effective immune defence reactions to occur. The results could open up new strategies for the treatment of inflammatory processes.

Martin Wabitsch has received the Science Award of the city of Ulm. Wabitsch head of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes at the University Hospital of Ulm received the award for his research on the consequences of adipositas at a young age.

Julia Kirchheiner from Ulm is examining why some leukaemia patients do not respond to cytarabin treatment. She is now hoping to identify the genetic factors that come together to determine how a patient responds to cytarabin treatment.

In future small bubbles will allow the identification of pathological alterations at a very early stage. Molecular imaging methods developed by Bracco Imaging S.p.A. use a new ultrasound contrast agent. The German subsidiary of the company Bracco Imaging Deutschland GmbH based in Constance develops and sells contrast agents.

Dossier - 03/07/2008

Molecular imaging - a close look inside the human body

Molecular imaging recognises the functional state of cells and molecules. It visualises biological processes on the cellular and molecular level and is thus able to detect pathological alterations a long time before disease symptoms become apparent. Molecular imaging offers new possibilities for improving diagnosis and enabling more targeted therapies than has previously been possible. Many experts regard molecular imaging as a paradigm shift in…

Cancer cells are dangerous foodies. They metabolise far greater amounts of sugar than healthy cells. Nuclear medicine experts make use of cancer cells craving for sugar since the advent of modern positron emission tomography PET. This has led to an improvement in the quality of cancer treatment.

The X-ray-based determination of bone density is currently the only method that enables the early diagnosis of osteoporosis. However this examination method has rather limited informative value. That is why the University Hospital in Tübingen is now establishing high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging MRI that provides the physicians with completely new insights into the microarchitecture of the bones.

Experienced medical physicists are able to detect everything without needing an operating table or a scalpel to construct a detailed picture of a patient’s cardiovascular system. Dr. Michael Markl is one of these experts, who nevertheless require top technological equipment, i.e. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to gain comprehensive insights into the vascular system.

Researchers in Ulm are hoping to find new ways to destroy bone marrow cancer multiple myeloma cells through radiation. The German Jos Carreras Leukaemia Foundation is funding the research with a total of about 300000 euros over three years.

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.

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.

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.

After years of directing his focus more on the molecular processes in the development of different cell types Prof. Albrecht Sippel has gone back to his roots. Despite his retirement six months ago Sippel started to actively participate in the search for human genes in the faculties of thought and speech that distinguish us from our animal relatives.

Sharks can sense a few drops of blood in water. In fact they are able to smell blood in dilutions of as little as one to 10 billion. Is it just sharks or piranhas that have such an acute sense of smell? The answer is no - all fish have a highly developed sense of smell.

Genetic modifications of a sugar transport protein might lead to movement disorders under permanent physical strain. This can be counteracted by fat-rich food as scientists from the University Hospital of Ulm have found out. The brain shifts to using fat.

Physical activity healthy nutrition more relaxation and no permanent sleep deficiency - is there a secret recipe for eternal youth? Alexander Bürkle from Constance along with scientists from all over Europe are aiming to identify the powerful biomarkers of human ageing.