Article - 06/08/2009 PEPperPRINT wins award for its peptide chips PEPperPRINT GmbH, a spin-off of the German Cancer Research Centre, has won the Science4Life Venture Cup, a German start-up contest that comes with the most prize money. The Heidelberg-based start-up company was previously awarded the renowned research prize by the German Stifterverband and was chosen as a “Landmark in the Land of Ideas” competition run by the German government in 2009.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/pepperprint-wins-award-for-its-peptide-chips
Press release - 13/07/2009 Genome-wide study on the development of schizophrenia Numerous research centres around the world have been working together in order to clarify the genetic basis of schizophrenia. The Central Institute of Mental Health (ZI) in Mannheim was also involved in the study, which was recently published online in the scientific journal Nature.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/genome-wide-study-on-the-development-of-schizophrenia
Article - 08/07/2009 The small directors in the cell They have been overlooked for quite a long time, despite the fact that they constitute a large part of the genetic material in many organisms. Biologists are gradually discovering that bacteria as well as human and plant cells need them for proper function. Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Hess and his team at the Institute of Biology III at the University of Freiburg have been focusing on them for a number of years – we are referring to non-coding RNAs. The…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/the-small-directors-in-the-cell
Article - 02/07/2009 A virus that hides while it waits for an opportunity to replicate Thomas Mertens, Medical Director of the Institute of Virology in Ulm, has a strong scientific and clinical interest in the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), a big virus with a big impact which, despite its size, is overshadowed by known viruses such as the HI virus that is the object of research for Mertens’ colleagues. HCMV research is a challenging area where quick successes are rare.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/a-virus-that-hides-while-it-waits-for-an-opportunity-to-replicate
Press release - 30/06/2009 The genome as glue Many engineers who need to work with structured materials with small pores most likely dream of a glue that not only holds the tiny particles together, but also automatically brings them into contact at the correct distance from each other. Scientists under the leadership of Prof. Clemens Richert and Prof. Stefan Bräse at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have now developed a “bioglue” using a process that is summarised in the journal…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/the-genome-as-glue
Press release - 30/06/2009 febit First to Offer Newly Published Mouse Genome on a Chip for DNA/RNA Detection and Enrichment In the near future, Next-Generation Sequencing technologies will lead to a rising number of completed genomes of model organisms and other species of interest, as demonstrated by the updated mouse genome. This accelerated development will generate a variety of tools available in the short term for the application of the new data into experiments. febit’s technology enables the conversion of new sequence data into biochips for gene expression…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/febit-first-to-offer-newly-published-mouse-genome-on-a-chip-for-dna-rna-detection-and-enrichment
Article - 29/06/2009 Alternative protein structures and breast cancer A single protein can have many variants. This variability is achieved by a process known as splicing which can introduce small modifications into the mRNA transcript of a gene. Prof. Dr. Elmar Stickeler from the University Womens Hospital in Freiburg found that some of these splice variants can also induce cancer. Stickeler and his team are investigating how splicing factors change their target molecules and how this leads to breast cancer. This…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/alternative-protein-structures-and-breast-cancer
Dossier - 25/06/2009 DNA and RNA replication The replication of the genome is essential for the continuity of life. The molecular mechanism is very similar in all groups of organisms. Although the basics of replication are already well understood, researchers are still focusing on questions relating to DNA replication. These questions not only deal with the understanding of a basic biological process, but also with related medical aspects.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/dossier/dna-and-rna-replication
Article - 23/06/2009 Hepatitis B and the Münchhausen enzyme Virologists in Prof. Dr. Michael Nassals group at the University Medical Centre in Freiburg are investigating the molecular mechanisms used by the hepatitis B virus to reproduce. The researchers work might in future be able to help the three to four hundred million people worldwide who suffer from chronic hepatitis B infections. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/hepatitis-b-and-the-muenchhausen-enzyme
Article - 10/06/2009 Dirk Linke - a vaccine is ready - just in case There is a well-known saying: travel broadens the mind. This is not the only consequence of travel – the biochemist Dr. Dirk Linke from Tübingen travelled to India on holiday and brought back an idea for a new scientific project. Since his return, his idea, the possibility of developing a vaccine with a wide-ranging effect against some of the most frequent diarrhoea pathogens, has even generated financial backing from prominent supporters.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/dirk-linke-a-vaccine-is-ready-just-in-case
Article - 04/05/2009 Perikles Simon – more than just hunting down the dope cheats Whether it be the Olympic Games world championships or the Tour de France whenever a big sports event is coming up Dr. Dr. Perikles Simon from the University Hospital of Tübingen is a sought-after interviewee for the media. Simon has developed a test which may eventually help detect the latest performance-enhancing method gene doping.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/perikles-simon-more-than-just-hunting-down-the-dope-cheats
Press release - 01/05/2009 Gaining insights into potato cells Viruses and bacteria are the lifeblood of GATC a family-run biotechnology company that is continuing to grow in spite of the current economic downturn. At the moment GATC is working on the sequence of one particular vegetable - and the company has submitted a building application to add another 1000 square metres to the existing 800.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/gaining-insights-into-potato-cells
Press release - 30/04/2009 In the tubular system of human cells Scientists from the Hygiene Institute at the Heidelberg University Hospital have succeeded for the first time ever in showing the three-dimensional architecture of the dengue virus replication and assembly sites in human cells. Their paper was recently published in the renowned journal “Cell Host & Microbes”. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/in-the-tubular-system-of-human-cells
Press release - 29/04/2009 febit Receives European Patent for Gene Extraction Procedure febit holding gmbh announced today, that the company has been granted the first European patent (EP1436609) for a microarray-based nucleic acid extraction procedure. In conjunction with the US patent US7320862, febit now holds a unique patent position in the dynamic market of sample preparation for second-generation sequencers. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/febit-receives-european-patent-for-gene-extraction-procedure
Article - 27/04/2009 Roland Eils – a mathematician surrounded by molecular biologists Not that long ago the Mathematical Faculty of the University of Heidelberg rejected his doctoral thesis but now Roland Eils is professor at the very same faculty. The mathematician whose doctoral thesis was ahead of its time and his two research groups at the University of Heidelberg and the German Cancer Research Centre DKFZ work in the fields of systems biology and oncology. Eils is also one of three founding directors of the systems biology…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/roland-eils-a-mathematician-surrounded-by-molecular-biologists
Article - 15/04/2009 Anke Becker: looking closely at biological systems Not that long ago it took six months or more to sequence a single gene. Nowadays modern genomics means that it takes less than a week to sequence an entire microorganism. This development means that scientists are more interested than ever in looking into biological systems as a whole. Professor Dr. Anke Becker from the University of Freiburg is investigating how groups of genes and molecules interact with each other. She is particularly…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/anke-becker-looking-closely-at-biological-systems
Press release - 07/04/2009 Baden-Württemberg achieves top ranking in number of patents filed In 2008, Baden-Württemberg came close behind the German state of Bavaria in the top rankings of the number of patents filed. According to 2008 figures published by the European Patent Office (EPO) on Wednesday, April 1st 2009, a total of 146,000 patent applications were made in Europe as a whole, an increase of 3.6% over the previous year.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/baden-wuerttemberg-achieves-top-ranking-in-number-of-patents-filed
Press release - 07/04/2009 Potential cause of severe form of Parkinson's disease discovered The causes of multiple system atrophy MSA a particularly severe form of Parkinsons disease have for a long time remained unknown. Researchers at the Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research in Tübingen have now shown that hereditary gene variants considerably increase the risk of contracting MSA. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/potential-cause-of-severe-form-of-parkinson-s-disease-discovered
Dossier - 29/03/2009 Options for the food industry Biotechnology has since found its way into the food industry and in fact into the entire value creation chain from raw material production to food processing to the sale of the final product. There are many ways in which biotechnology can contribute to better food products. These include the use of enzymes and microorganisms as well as in the production of food supplements and to improve analytic tests.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/dossier/options-for-the-food-industry
Press release - 26/03/2009 Sygnis Pharma AG increases capital SYGNIS Pharma AG reported its financial results for the first nine months of the fiscal year 20082009. The company improved its cash position significantly as a result of a successful capital increase. Following the capital increase the stake of dievini Hopp BioTech in SYGNIS Pharma AG increased to approximately 44.90 of the total share capital. The preparations for the phase II efficacy trial of its lead candidate AX200 in acute ischemic stroke…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/sygnis-pharma-ag-increases-capital
Article - 11/03/2009 Gerd Jürgens – from model fly to model plant: a high risk career Some scientists have a keen sense for new and exciting research topics. The developmental biologist Dr. Gerd Jürgens from Tübingen is one such scientist. His courageous step from research involving the well-known fruit fly to research on a rather inconspicuous plant has recently been rewarded with his appointment as the new director of the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/gerd-juergens-from-model-fly-to-model-plant-a-high-risk-career
Article - 17/02/2009 Genes and epigenetic mechanisms The different cell types in a multicellular organism contain the same genome but differ from each other dramatically in both function and structure nerve cells kidney cells etc.. The differentiation of the cells is linked to the identity of their precursors. This then raises the question If the cells destiny is not encoded in the DNA how do they know what to become? The new director of the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology in Freiburg…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/genes-and-epigenetic-mechanisms
Press release - 26/01/2009 Parasites in the genome - A molecular parasite could play an important role in human evolution Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology in Tübingen Germany determined the structure of a protein L1ORF1p which is encoded by a parasitic genetic element and which is responsible for its mobility.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/parasites-in-the-genome-a-molecular-parasite-could-play-an-important-role-in-human-evolution
Press release - 14/01/2009 Hunters of lost treasures On 1st December 2008 Prof. Dr. Karl Schmid the first person to hold the F.W. Schnell Foundations endowed professorship for crop biodiversity and breeding informatics started the ball rolling on a unique European-wide project. Schmid and his colleagues are searching gigantic databases in which genetic analyses and plant descriptions are stored for hidden treasures. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/hunters-of-lost-treasures
Article - 29/11/2008 The worm in humans Caenorhabditis elegans has a lifespan of 20 days. The worm is as small as a comma and consists of only 959 cells. Caenorhabditis elegans is very different from Homo sapiens who might at least in Germany live for as long as 79 years or more. Nevertheless the tiny worm is the most important model organism for researchers into ageing who use it to study the development of age-related diseases and the ageing process itself.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/the-worm-in-humans