Article - 29/10/2012 Friederike J. Gruhl – biology is not always enough Researchers are usually only able to explore the development and growth of tumours with animal models. This is because many human cells lose their typical characteristics once outside the body. Friederike J. Gruhl from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology KIT is working to create a biomimetic environment in Petri dishes in which prostate cells thrive and can be manipulated to become tumours for example - if required. The three-dimensional…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/friederike-j-gruhl-biology-is-not-always-enough
Article - 22/10/2012 syneed imaging: precise visualisation of functional tissue properties Functional medical imaging modalities are of great significance in modern medical diagnostics. Existing ways of diagnosing diseases are now being expanded with the arrival of the innovative parameter imaging method. syneed imaging uses proprietary highly sensitive software for the analysis of dynamic image data. This software complements standard methods such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging and increases the significance of…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/syneed-imaging-precise-visualisation-of-functional-tissue-properties
Article - 15/10/2012 Carmen Ruiz de Almodóvar and the link between the nervous and vascular systems Dr. Carmen Ruiz de Almodóvar from the Heidelberg University Biochemistry Centre has been awarded an ERC Starting Grant to study the molecular similarities between the nervous and vascular systems. The researcher showed that angiogenic factors such as VEGF also control the growth of neuronal cells and may be responsible for disorders in the development of nervous systems.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/carmen-ruiz-de-almod-var-and-the-link-between-the-nervous-and-vascular-systems
Article - 08/10/2012 Epilepsy changes brain architecture Epileptic fits, i. e. abnormal excessive neuronal activity in the hippocampus, severely affects nerve cells and can lead to permanent damage. A team of researchers led by Prof. Dr. Carola Haas from the Neurocenter at the University of Freiburg is focusing on changes in the brain anatomy of patients suffering from temporal lobe epilepsy as well as on the molecular and cellular processes underlying the disease. The team’s research focuses on stem…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/epilepsy-changes-brain-architecture
Press release - 02/10/2012 Scientists find explanation for formation of connections between nerve cells Multiple synaptic contacts between nerve cells facilitate the creation of a new contact as neuroscientists from the Bernstein Center Freiburg and the Forschungszentrum Jülich report in the latest issue of the journal PLoS Computational Biology. An integral mechanism of memory foundation is the formation of additional contacts between neurons in the brain.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/scientists-find-explanation-for-formation-of-connections-between-nerve-cells
Article - 10/09/2012 "BrainLinks-BrainTools" – how an intention becomes reality An accident victim is no longer able to pick up a tea cup because the nerves between the brain and the arm are severed. Researchers from the faculties of biology medicine and technology at the University of Freiburg are able to translate pure thought into the movement of a cursor on a computer screen. The researchers are part of the BrainLinks-BrainTools consortium.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/brainlinks-braintools-how-an-intention-becomes-reality
Article - 27/08/2012 How the distance from the source affects tissue patterning and growth in embryos During the embryonic development of fruit flies, zebra fish and humans, just a handful of molecules control cell migration, induce cell division and determine which cells form which type of tissue. A group of researchers led by Dr. Giorgos Pyrowolakis at the University of Freiburg is specifically focused on one of these so-called master regulators. How do the differently patterned BMP gradients develop in Drosophila melanogaster eggs, embryos and…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/how-the-distance-from-the-source-affects-tissue-patterning-and-growth-in-embryos
Article - 27/08/2012 Why don't dogs talk? Humans have developed a unique ability to communicate through speech and language. Research focusing on the development of human language and its genetic basis focuses specifically on the developmental gene FOXP2. Evo-devo research has shown that a human-specific FOXP2 variant is key for the human ability to talk. It is likely that the human variant of the rather common FOXP2 protein was already present in Neanderthals.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/why-don-t-dogs-talk
Press release - 22/08/2012 Glial cells protect the brain from epileptic seizures Epileptic fits are like thunderstorms raging in the brain Nerve cells excite each other in an uncontrolled way so that strong rhythmic electrical discharges sweep over whole brain regions. In the wake of such a seizure the nerve cells are severely affected and permanent damage is possible. The glia a class of cells that surround the neurons in the brain was long suspected to contribute to the damaging effects of epilepsy. Quite the opposite is…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/glial-cells-protect-the-brain-from-epileptic-seizures
Press release - 08/08/2012 Apogenix: APG101 Exceeds Expectations with Controlled Phase II Clinical Trial The biopharmaceutical company Apogenix GmbH announced today that the phase II clinical proof of concept trial with APG101 as treatment of recurrent glioblastoma has met and exceeded expectations in the final analysis of the data. In this randomized controlled clinical study the patients were treated either with a combination of APG101 plus radiotherapy (APG101+RT group) or radiotherapy alone (RT group). The primary objective of the trial was to…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/apogenix-apg101-exceeds-expectations-with-controlled-phase-ii-clinical-trial
Article - 06/08/2012 SystemsX.ch to fund systems biology research SystemsX.ch is currently the biggest research initiative in Switzerland to provide financial support and technologies in the field of systems biology research. It is a consortium of twelve Swiss research institutions and universities but also works with non-Swiss institutions including the Baden-Württemberg-based company KNIME GmbH. The initiative is interested in expanding its cooperation with other life sciences companies and universities.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/systemsx-ch-to-fund-systems-biology-research
Press release - 24/07/2012 Tailor-made viruses for enhanced cancer therapy Parvoviruses specifically kill cancer cells and are already in the clinical trial stage for treating malignant brain tumors. However, as they can also infect normal cells - without doing any harm to them - a large portion of viruses is lost during therapy. Scientists at the German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) have now modified parvoviruses in such a way that they initially lose their ability to infect cells. In…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/tailor-made-viruses-for-enhanced-cancer-therapy
Article - 23/07/2012 The identification of stress molecules in living fish Fireflies use light to attract mates and hunt prey the zebrafish in Dr. Thomas Dickmeis laboratory mainly glow in situations of stress. The biologist from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology KIT and two of his doctoral students have created a zebrafish line that can be used as a high-throughput test system for glucocorticoid hormones. Pharmaceutical companies might in future be able to use living vertebrate models i.e. zebrafish to test new…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/the-identification-of-stress-molecules-in-living-fish
Article - 16/07/2012 "Autism gene" causes problems in the composition of synapses A new finding in the field of autism research has attracted the attention of the scientific world. Although the international group of researchers that published the findings in the renowned journal Nature have so far only managed to switch off two genes in mice, the animals’ conspicuous behaviour change has nevertheless made the scientific world sit up and listen. It appears that the enigmatic neuropsychiatric disease could have a genetic…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/autism-gene-causes-problems-in-the-composition-of-synapses
Press release - 29/06/2012 Researchers establish brain tissue bank for research on degenerative diseases of the nervous system Professor Manuela Neumann has been appointed to a joint professorship at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases DZNE and the University of Tübingen. In June she has been starting a the research group neuropathology at the DZNE site Tübingen and will also serve as the medical director of the neuropathology department at the Institute for Pathology and Neuropathology of the medical faculty and the university clinic. In her past research…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/researchers-establish-brain-tissue-bank-for-research-on-degenerative-diseases-of-the-nervous-system
Press release - 27/06/2012 A Virtual Look at the Zebrafish Brain Scientists have long dreamed of being able to grasp the brain as a whole. A research team led by Junior Professor Dr. Olaf Ronneberger from the Department of Computer Science of the University of Freiburg and Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Driever developmental biologist at the Institute of Biology I has now taken a big step toward making this dream a reality. The Freiburg researchers developed microscopic imaging techniques and software for observing and…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/a-virtual-look-at-the-zebrafish-brain
Article - 25/06/2012 A special biobank for neurological research Over the last few years, the Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research in Tübingen has established a comprehensive biobank for use in neurological research. The databank is available to scientists from research institutions and companies working on research into neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s with the aim of finding new options for the diagnostics and therapy of such diseases.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/a-special-biobank-for-neurological-research-1
Article - 25/06/2012 The physiological importance of the Alzheimer protein While the role of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the development of amyloid plaques that are characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease is well known, the physiological role of this protein in the brain has remained elusive. However, the molecular biologist Professor Dr. Ulrike Müller from Heidelberg has now shown in mouse models that components of the APP gene family play a major role in synaptic plasticity, learning and memory. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/the-physiological-importance-of-the-alzheimer-protein
Article - 25/06/2012 Cannabidiol for the treatment of schizophrenic psychoses A hemp compound has been shown to increase the effect of the endogenous cannabinoid anandamide in the human brain, thus reducing the delusions associated with psychotic diseases. Studies carried out by Prof. Markus Leweke from the Central Institute of Mental Health in Mannheim involving patients with acute schizophrenic attacks show that the plant compound is better tolerated than currently approved antipsychotic drugs. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/cannabidiol-for-the-treatment-of-schizophrenic-psychoses
Article - 18/06/2012 Not just a zoo for fish mutants The fish facilities of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology KIT house around 9000 aquariums. Zebrafish with genetic defects are excellent model organisms for many biological studies. Prof. Dr. Uwe Strähle and his team at the Institute of Toxicology and Genetics ITG at KIT have been focusing for a long time on the development of the fish nervous system. The European Zebrafish Resource Center EZRC led by Prof. Strähle is currently being…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/not-just-a-zoo-for-fish-mutants
Press release - 01/06/2012 Locating ground zero Like emergency workers rushing to a disaster scene, cells called microglia speed to places where the brain has been injured, to contain the damage by ‘eating up’ any cellular debris and dead or dying neurons. Scientists at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany, have now discovered exactly how microglia detect the site of injury, thanks to a relay of molecular signals.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/locating-ground-zero
Press release - 22/05/2012 Rare neurons discovered in monkey brains Henry Evrard neuroanatomist at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics in Tübingen Germany now discovered that von Economo neurons VEN occur in the insula of macaque monkeys. The morphology size and distribution of the monkey VEN suggest that it is at least a primal anatomical homolog of the human VEN. This finding offers new and much-needed opportunities to examine in detail the connections and functions of a cell and brain region…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/rare-neurons-discovered-in-monkey-brains
Article - 21/05/2012 Interactions between the genome and the environment Parental neglect appears to lead to epigenetic changes in children, which result in behavioural problems in later years. This is one issue amongst the many that were addressed at the colloquium “Gene und Umwelt – Wie wir werden, was wir sind” (Genes and the environment – how we become what we are) recently organized by the Daimler and Benz Foundation in Berlin.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/interactions-between-the-genome-and-the-environment
Article - 23/04/2012 Iris-Tatjana Kolassa – extreme stress takes a toll on cells Molecular psychology has huge potential for the future. The discipline has used imaging methods for diagnostic purposes for a long time, but Iris-Tatjana Kolassa, a 33-year-old psychologist from Ulm, is convinced that in future it will increasingly use molecular biology and medicine methods. The idea of remaining blinkered in her own discipline is a notion that is utterly foreign to Kolassa; whenever she senses synergies, whether it be with…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/iris-tatjana-kolassa-extreme-stress-takes-a-toll-on-cells
Press release - 03/04/2012 Seeing movement: Why the world in our head stays still when we move our eyes When observing a fly buzzing around the room and following it around with the eyes, we ought to have the impression that it is not the fly, but rather the space that lies behind it that is moving. After all, the fly is always fixed in our central point of view. But how does the brain convey the impression of a fly in motion in a motionless field? With the help of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scientists from the Werner Reichardt…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/seeing-movement-why-the-world-in-our-head-stays-still-when-we-move-our-eyes