Article - 04/07/2013 Experimental evidence of stem cells for metastasis For the first time, scientists from Heidelberg have characterised cancer cells that initiate metastasis in the blood of breast cancer patients using an in-vivo xenograft mouse model. These cells have the properties of cancer stem cells and are characterised by three surface molecules that can be used as biomarkers for disease progression. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/experimental-evidence-of-stem-cells-for-metastasis
Article - 17/06/2013 New software systems for patient-friendly cancer radiotherapy The new large-scale cooperative project SPARTA is aimed at developing adaptive, intelligent and flexibly expandable software systems for the improved radiotherapy of cancer. The Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), which integrates the common research interests of all institutions in Heidelberg active in the field of radiotherapy, plays a pivotal role in the project.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/new-software-systems-for-patient-friendly-cancer-radiotherapy
Article - 21/05/2013 Green gold: bioactive plant foods Nowadays everything must be good for something must have a direct noticeable or tangible effect. The ever topical issue of nutrition is no exception. All this makes functional food a promising and inexhaustible market. Teams of scientists around the world are focussing on how unhealthy food can be made healthy. Bioactive plant foods are expected to close a gap that should not have existed in the first place. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/green-gold-bioactive-plant-foods
Dossier - 13/05/2013 The human proteome – the next major goal The “Human Proteome Project”, a ten-year global initiative that is making a systematic effort to map all human proteins, has moved from the planning to the experimental stage. How significant and how effective the project will be depends on how much the resources offered are used by proteome researchers and on the data that the researchers bring into the project. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/dossier/the-human-proteome-the-next-major-goal
Article - 09/05/2013 Immunoproteasome Drug Targeting: Immunoproteasome inhibitors allow control of autoimmune diseases Marcus Groettrup is the chair of immunology at the University of Konstanz and has been active in the field of immunology for many years. In 2009 Groettrup made a discovery that led to him setting up a company. His analysis of immunoproteasomes whose main function is to degrade unneeded or damaged proteins showed that these protein complexes also play a major role in the development of autoimmune diseases. Based on this knowledge Groettrup…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/immunoproteasome-drug-targeting-immunoproteasome-inhibitors-allow-control-of-autoimmune-diseases
Article - 06/05/2013 HeLa, a human bauplan in the Petri dish Scientists from EMBL have recently sequenced the genome of HeLa cells, which are the world’s most commonly used human cell line. They found that the HeLa genome and that of normal human cells reveal striking differences, caused by chromothripsis and other aberrations. Some evolutionary researchers believe that HeLa cells are developing a new human bauplan as they adapt to cultivation in the Petri dish. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/hela-a-human-bauplan-in-the-petri-dish
Press release - 30/04/2013 Impressions from the 2013 BIO International Convention in Chicago A trade fair turns 20 and an industrial sector is coming of age. Where does BIO stand today? The number of exhibitors has slightly decreased the conference is characterised by general themes and trends and partnering has become the most important and indispensable part of the global event for biotechnology. What was once a gold rush atmosphere has given way to an experienced self-confidence about the economic importance of biotechnology. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/impressions-from-the-2013-bio-international-convention-in-chicago
Article - 29/04/2013 Bioactive plant foods: plant substances against cancer stem cells Many findings indicate that the consumption of cruciferous vegetable plants rich in mustard oil glycosides has a cancer-inhibiting effect. Researchers from Heidelberg have now shown that sulforaphane, a broccoli mustard oil, blocks a signalling pathway that makes tumour stem cells resistant to cytotoxic drugs. The administration of sulforaphane can prevent therapy resistance and metastasis of pancreatic cancer in animal models.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/bioactive-plant-foods-plant-substances-against-cancer-stem-cells
Dossier - 15/04/2013 Bioactive plant foods – more than just filling The increasing demand for functional foods clearly shows that the role of food is no longer just to meet an essential need. Food that offers additional nutritional benefits is becoming increasingly important for example food that is able to prevent or treat diseases. This kind of food is therefore interesting for consumers the food industry and the healthcare sector alike. Products based on plant raw materials are particularly in demand due to…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/dossier/bioactive-plant-foods-more-than-just-filling
Article - 08/04/2013 The first major cell migration It is of crucial importance that cells stick tightly together where their function requires them to do so for example in organs such as the heart and the liver to name but two examples. However it is equally crucial that cells start to migrate at some stage during embryonic development in order to form such organs. Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Driever from the Institute of Biology I at the University of Freiburg and his team have elucidated the molecular…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/the-first-major-cell-migration
Article - 08/04/2013 Integrated infrastructures for medical science The annual TMF conference in Heidelberg dealt with the need for integrated science infrastructures for the advancement of medical research. The major focus was on quality criteria for medical biomaterial banks and the establishment of the German Biobank Registry as the core of a central IT infrastructure, with the overall aim of creating the right conditions for resource-saving medical research excellence in Germany. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/integrated-infrastructures-for-medical-science
Dossier - 01/04/2013 Retroviruses: from infectious agent to therapeutic assistant Viruses are infectious particles that use the machinery and metabolism of a host cell to replicate. Despite some similarities with accepted forms of life viruses are not considered as such. The family of retroviruses is particularly known for its most notorious representative i. e. the human immunodeficiency virus HIV which leads to AIDS and for which no cure or effective vaccine is currently available. However retroviruses are not only of…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/dossier/retroviruses-from-infectious-agent-to-therapeutic-assistant
Article - 25/03/2013 Epigenetics for personalised cancer care for women Every year in the EU, 45,300 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer and 330,000 with breast cancer. Ovarian cancer has a mortality rate of around 64% and breast cancer around 27%*. The EU-funded research project EpiFemCare aims at improving cancer detection and subsequent patient care. The research project aims to develop blood tests based on epigenetic DNA modifications, i.e. the methylation of the base cytosine, for the identification of…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/epigenetics-for-personalised-cancer-care-for-women
Article - 04/03/2013 TellTargeting Medical GmbH – targeted chemotherapy using CARL® The needs of cancer patients are clear chemotherapies that are as gentle as possible associated with minimal adverse effects and have a rapid effect. This is often difficult to achieve because the drug that stops tumour growth needs to remain in the body for a certain amount of time during which time it damages cancerous as well as healthy structures. Dr. Gerhard Pütz and Dr. Jürgen Eckes founded the company TellTargeting Medical GmbH Co. KG…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/telltargeting-medical-gmbh-targeted-chemotherapy-using-carl
Article - 04/03/2013 Genomic structural variations can cause cancer Genome-wide sequencing analyses show that comprehensive structural variations of chromosomes can play a key role in the pathogenesis of many types of cancer. Dr. Jan Korbel’s research group at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg has been investigating chromosomal aberrations in paediatric brain tumours and early-onset prostate cancer.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/genomic-structural-variations-can-cause-cancer
Article - 22/02/2013 Malte Drescher provides insights into cells Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy can deliver information about the structure and dynamics of large molecules and was used by Dr. Malte Drescher from the University of Konstanz to develop a method for the structural analysis of biological macromolecules inside cells. It provides insights into the complex structure of molecules under physiological conditions and is a promising approach for the development of cancer drugs.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/malte-drescher-provides-insights-into-cells
Article - 18/02/2013 Dickkopf deficiency improves cognitive performance Scientists from the German Cancer Research Center have shown that the Dickkopf gene, which regulates head development during embryogenesis, prevents the regeneration of nerve cells in the mouse hippocampus. This also leads to the loss of learning capacity in advanced age. Animals in advanced adult age whose Dickkopf gene had been silenced showed no age-related decline in cognitive performance.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/dickkopf-deficiency-improves-cognitive-performance
Article - 11/02/2013 REGiNA – the health region for regenerative medicine REGiNA is a users’ centre for regenerative medicine in the area bordered by the cities of Stuttgart and Tübingen and the Neckar-Alb region. It was established with the aim of translating a variety of advanced regenerative methods into broad clinical application. Providing a diverse and broad range of information, REGiNA is focused on making new treatment possibilities and the opportunities created by regenerative medicine known to doctors,…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/regina-the-health-region-for-regenerative-medicine
Article - 04/02/2013 DKFZ-HIPO – the Heidelberg Center for Personalised Oncology The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and the National Center for Tumour Diseases (NCT) have jointly initiated the Heidelberg Center for Personalised Oncology (HIPO) which provides cancer patients with high-throughput genetic and molecular analyses. In anticipation of the upcoming World Cancer Day on 4th February 2013, the potential of high-throughput genetic and molecular analyses in improving cancer therapy was presented at a workshop held…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/dkfz-hipo-the-heidelberg-center-for-personalised-oncology
Article - 04/02/2013 G protein-coupled receptors and their importance for research and development Brian Kobilka and Robert Lefkowitz were awarded the 2012 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their groundbreaking discoveries of the inner workings of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). These transmembrane receptors play a key role in the processing of odours and the recognition of hormones. The work of the two American scientists has had an impact on many researchers around the world. In the following interview, Professor Dr. Daniel Legler, head of…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/g-protein-coupled-receptors-and-their-importance-for-research-and-development
Article - 28/01/2013 Epigenetics and childhood blood cancer Juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia JMML is the most common chronic cancer of the blood in children and tends to have a poor response to chemotherapy. Prof. Dr. Christian Flotho and his team from the Centre of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine in Freiburg have shown that epigenetic mechanisms play a key role in the pathogenesis of JMML. As part of a German Research Foundation priority programme the researchers from Freiburg are working on…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/epigenetics-and-childhood-blood-cancer
Article - 21/01/2013 Early warning signals of ageing in stem cells The large international project SyStemAge is specifically focused on the role of stem cells in ageing and age-related diseases. Coordinated by the European Molecular Biology Laboratory and the Heidelberg University Hospital the SyStemAge consortium seeks to identify the causes and molecular pathways associated with the processes of ageing on the stem-cell level as well as developing novel strategies for the early treatment of age-related…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/early-warning-signals-of-ageing-in-stem-cells
Article - 14/01/2013 Boehringer takes a deep breath: a look into the company’s respiratory R&D pipeline At its 3rd International Research & Development (R&D) press conference, Boehringer Ingelheim gave journalists insights into its R&D pipeline. Around 200 scientists at the company’s site in Biberach are investigating new treatment options for patients with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma, idiopathic lung fibrosis, lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. In addition, the researchers are also focusing on the…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/boehringer-takes-a-deep-breath-a-look-into-the-company-s-respiratory-r-d-pipeline
Article - 07/01/2013 Small RNAs and immunological reactions Patients with common variable immunodeficiency CVID lack antibodies that would protect them against infections. Only a handful of patients develop the disease because of a single defect in any of the genes involved in CVID pathogenesis. A group of researchers led by Dr. Ulrich Salzer at the Centre for Chronic Immunodeficiency CCI at the University of Freiburg Medical Centre investigates how small RNA molecules control B-lymphocyte development as…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/small-rnas-and-immunological-reactions
Article - 18/12/2012 Gene therapy medicinal products: the first gene therapy product has been approved – where does the future lie? Is gene therapy close to broad clinical application? Following negative headlines at the end of the 1990s gene therapy had almost disappeared from the public radar to become an issue almost exclusively dealt with by research laboratories. Gene therapy has now reappeared in the public domain since the European Medicines Agency EMA gave the Dutch biotech company uniQure the go-ahead for the application of somatic gene therapy for the treatment of a…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/gene-therapy-medicinal-products-the-first-gene-therapy-product-has-been-approved-where-does-the-futu