Article - 16/12/2013 Cellendes puts paradigm change in cell research to good use Cells grown on the flat furfaces of tissue culture plates do not behave as they would in their natural environment. This is why scientists are now using three-dimensional substrates to replicate the natural environmental of cells in tissue cellular matrix. Dr. Brigitte Angres and Dr. Helmut Wurst founders and managing directors of Cellendes GmbH in Reutlingen have taken advantage of this new knowledge and developed two novel hydrogels for cell…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/cellendes-puts-paradigm-change-in-cell-research-to-good-use
Press release - 05/08/2013 greenovation Biotech GmbH – production of therapeutic proteins in moss Plants can be genetically modified in a way that enables them to produce pharmaceutically active proteins for various indications. The small moss Physcomitrella patens is able to produce more complex molecules than bacteria. Moreover, moss is less expensive to grow and less susceptible to pathogenic contaminants than Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. greenovation Biotech GmbH, which has its headquarters in Heilbronn and a branch in Freiburg,…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/greenovation-biotech-gmbh-production-of-therapeutic-proteins-in-moss
Article - 29/07/2013 Food supplements from blue-green algae do more harm than good Dietary supplements containing different types of algae claim to be rich in minerals that help improve mental acuity and concentration. While many of these products are neither useful nor harmful, products containing blue-green algae have raised serious concerns. Consumers have repeatedly complained about pain and discomfort after consumption. A study carried out by toxicologist Prof. Dr. Daniel Dietrich from the University of Konstanz has now…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/food-supplements-from-blue-green-algae-do-more-harm-than-good
Press release - 22/07/2013 BIOPRO Baden-Württemberg's international relations bring Heidelberg-based Medicyte GmbH in contact with new distribution partner BIOPRO Baden-Württembergs business development activities have led to the establishment of a new distribution partnership between Heidelberg-based Medicyte GmbH and Dutch Westburg BV. When BIOPRO searches for international partners for Baden-Württemberg companies the state agency often makes use of its international network partners and in this case BIOPROs contact with the Netherlands Business Support Office Stuttgart NBSO brought the desired…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/biopro-baden-wuerttemberg-s-international-relations-bring-heidelberg-based-medicyte-gmbh-in-contact
Article - 24/06/2013 Cells and biomaterials for the treatment of intervertebral disc defects A new therapeutic method uses a patient’s own cartilage cells for the regeneration of intervertebral discs. The NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute in Reutlingen and its partners are scientific partners in the first clinical application of the new method. The key aim of the researchers from Reutlingen is the validation of the safety, efficiency and efficacy of the new method in order to prepare for approval for broad application in…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/cells-and-biomaterials-for-the-treatment-of-intervertebral-disc-defects
Article - 10/06/2013 Stem-cell tests to provide protection to unborn babies The development of unborn babies may already be impaired in the womb by pollutants from the environment food and drugs to which their mothers are exposed. Reliable and informative toxicity tests are necessary in order to assess and prevent the effects toxic substances may have on unborn babies. Biologist Dr. Tanja Waldmann from Konstanz University is developing toxicity test systems based on human embryonic stem cells which contribute to improved…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/stem-cell-tests-to-provide-protection-to-unborn-babies
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
Article - 29/04/2013 ‘Autotech meets Biotech’ – current status and outlook Intensive cooperation between the engineering-driven sectors and the biotechnology sector is a prerequisite for driving forward automation in the field of biotechnology. The Engineering – Life Sciences – Automation (ELSA) cluster initiative of BioRegio STERN Management GmbH aims to promote cross-industry cooperation. A study entitled ‘Biotech meets Autotech’, which was carried out as part of the ELSA project, provides insights into the current…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/autotech-meets-biotech-current-status-and-outlook
Article - 15/04/2013 Price pressure requires new product developments – the "Bioactive Plant Foods" network The Bioactive Plant Foods network which is coordinated by the Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum in Stuttgart is focused on developing innovative products that have a positive effect on human health and placing them on the market. Research resolves around the health-promoting effect of amaranth a short-lived plant with catkin-like cymes of densely packed red flowers. More than 20 partners from industry science and marketing have been working together since…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/price-pressure-requires-new-product-developments-the-bioactive-plant-foods-network
Article - 11/03/2013 Trenzyme – optimal expression of recombinant proteins Trenzyme GmbH in Konstanz offers services and products in the fields of genomics and proteomics. The company specialises in contract research and custom R&D services and is also working on new and improved products and processes. The company recently developed a new method for the rapid identification of optimal expression conditions for recombinant proteins. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/trenzyme-optimal-expression-of-recombinant-proteins
Article - 07/01/2013 HepaChip: a promising tool for assessing adverse drug effects Liver damage is one of the most common adverse drug effects. Since results obtained with animal experiments can only be transferred to the situation in humans to a limited extent, there is a need for cell-based systems that model human organ function as closely as possible. The new HepaChip, developed by researchers at the NMI in Reutlingen on the basis of human liver and endothelial cells is able to do just this.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/hepachip-a-promising-tool-for-assessing-adverse-drug-effects
Article - 31/12/2012 siRNA for the regeneration of tissue and nerves Regenerative medicine is increasingly making use of siRNA to turn off proteins that prevent the application of regenerative therapies. Researchers at the NMI in Reutlingen develop siRNA technologies that have the potential to prevent the development of fibroses, the encapsulation of implants and improve the regeneration of nerves. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/sirna-for-the-regeneration-of-tissue-and-nerves
Article - 17/12/2012 Medicyte GmbH – gold standard for human cells Medicyte GmbH is a life sciences company located in the city of Heidelberg. It focuses primarily on the production of quasi-primary human cells of the highest quality and in virtually unlimited quantity. MediCyte’s goal is to establish its proprietary cell proliferation technologies as gold standard for the use of human cells and cell products in research, development and cell therapy.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/medicyte-gmbh-gold-standard-for-human-cells
Article - 03/12/2012 Differences between white, brown and “brite” fat tissue The latest results on the different metabolic pathways used by white and brown fat cells and potential transformations between the two cell types were discussed at the conference “Metabolism 2012: From Signalling to Disease” held on 15th and 16th November 2012 in Heidelberg. A special cell type, so-called “brite” adipocytes, may have the potential to be used in the treatment of obesity and related metabolic diseases such as diabetes.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/differences-between-white-brown-and-brite-fat-tissue
Article - 12/11/2012 Autoimmune diseases – when the body sheds its skin Most people believe that snakes and insects are the only animals able to shed their skin. However autoimmune diseases of the largest human organ i.e. the skin can have a similar effect by creating blisters scars peeling and wet wounds. Dr. Cassian Sitaru from the University of Freiburg Medical Centre specifically focuses on blistering autoimmune dermatoses. Using disease models in Petri dishes and laboratory mice Sitaru and his team hope to find…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/autoimmune-diseases-when-the-body-sheds-its-skin
Article - 29/10/2012 Tilman Schäffer: Biology and medicine – from the point of view of physics Tilman Schäffer at the University of Tübingen creates a bridge between physics, biology and medicine. His speciality is innovative microscopic detection methods such as atomic force microscopy. In addition to application, Schäffer is working on improving scanning probe microscopy instrumentation and methods. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/tilman-schaeffer-biology-and-medicine-from-the-point-of-view-of-physics
Article - 22/10/2012 The crème de la crème of contact allergy tests goes in vitro As of 2013 all cosmetic products containing a chemical with inherent skin sensitisation potential must be tested without the traditional animal testing. Prof. Dr. Stefan Martin from the Department of Dermatology at the University of Freiburg Medical Centre and his partners have been looking for alternatives to animal testing and have come up with the most specific in vitro test there has ever been. The researchers involved in the project have…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/the-cr-me-de-la-cr-me-of-contact-allergy-tests-goes-in-vitro
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
Article - 18/09/2012 Michael Kühl: in search of the gene architects of the heart Michael Kühl is investigating the development of the heart using a broad range of different model organisms. The developmental biologist, director of the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Ulm, also uses evolutionary and systems biology approaches for his work. Kühl’s basic research does not follow an art for art’s sake principle, but also addresses the development of new therapies for the treatment of heart…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/michael-kuehl-in-search-of-the-gene-architects-of-the-heart
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 Cardiac or intestinal progenitor cells? What controls the fate of pluripotent stem cells? Cell fate decisions are made in the early mouse embryo when it is nothing more than a spherical mass of cells. A molecule known as eomesodermin determines whether pluripotent stem cells become cardiac or intestinal progenitor cells. Dr. Sebastian Arnold and his research group at the Freiburg University Medical Centre have recently discovered why one single molecule can have a twofold effect. These findings provide Arnold and his team with greater…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/cardiac-or-intestinal-progenitor-cells-what-controls-the-fate-of-pluripotent-stem-cells
Press release - 03/08/2012 Rentschler and MHH sign licensing agreement for a gene therapy vector system The Hannover Medical School (MHH) and Rentschler Biotechnologie GmbH have signed a licensing agreement for the commercialization of a vector system for gene therapy that promises significant therapeutic and economic advantages over conventional technologies. Rentschler, an experienced specialist in the development of cell culture-based manufacturing processes and the production of relevant biopharmaceuticals, attains the right to develop…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/rentschler-and-mhh-sign-licensing-agreement-for-a-gene-therapy-vector-system
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