Article - 12/07/2010 Twelve in one fell swoop – New type 2 diabetes genes An international team of scientists working on the largest diabetes study to date have found 12 new diabetes genes in around 140000 Europeans. One of the authors the endocrinologist Bernhard Böhm from Ulm considers the findings to be a breakthrough in the research and treatment of type 2 diabetes. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/twelve-in-one-fell-swoop-new-type-2-diabetes-genes
Press release - 16/06/2010 Autism: Variations in Number of Genes Characterize Genome The genetic material of autism patients often shows a number of rare genetic alterations. Many genes have variations in the number of copies – they are multiplied or deleted. Several of the affected genes also play a role in other psychiatric developmental disorders. These results have been published by an international research consortium in the latest issue of the science journal Nature. In Germany, scientists of the German Cancer Research…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/autism-variations-in-number-of-genes-characterize-genome
Article - 14/06/2010 Promoters for the construction of genetic circuits Gene switches or promoters are crucially important for the regulation of all cellular activities and thus play a pivotal role for researchers constructing externally controllable genetic circuits using synthetic biology methods. The most common artificial regulatory system uses the Tet technology and tetracycline-sensitive promoters invented by Bujard and his team.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/promoters-for-the-construction-of-genetic-circuits
Article - 14/06/2010 Mycoplasma bacteria as models for minimal cells Bacteria of the genus Mycoplasma are one of the smallest self-replicating cells and serve as model organisms in synthetic biology research for investigating essential life functions as well as being used as chassis for novel, tailor-made biosyntheses. Researchers from Heidelberg are among the groups who focus predominantly on investigating mycoplasma bacteria as minimal organisms.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/mycoplasma-bacteria-as-models-for-minimal-cells
Dossier - 14/06/2010 Engineers of life Synthetic biology focuses on the development of biological systems with new defined characteristics assembled according to the principles of engineering. Synthetic biology has the potential to be used for a broad range of applications and has solutions in store for major problems of the future. It also fuels fears that human beings are playing the role of creators and going beyond natural boundaries. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/dossier/engineers-of-life
Press release - 21/05/2010 The molecular network of “death receptors” on trial The international ApoNET research project, which is part of a European-wide systems biology initiative, is coordinated by the Mannheim Medical Faculty at the University of Heidelberg. ApoNET researchers use modern genome sequencing methods and computer models to gain a better understanding of apoptosis networks in liver cells. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the European Union with 1.7 million…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/the-molecular-network-of-death-receptors-on-trial
Article - 10/05/2010 CeGaT: DNA and RNA sequencing specialist Sequencing service providers are facing new challenges due to the enormous technological progress made in this field. The market requires technically feasible solutions reliable and rapid sequence analyses in which entire genomes can be analysed within a couple of days or weeks. This can only be achieved with state-of-the-art high-throughput technologies. Tübingen-based CeGaT GmbH has been offering DNA and RNA sequencing using state-of-the-art…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/cegat-dna-and-rna-sequencing-specialist
Article - 05/05/2010 The Hydra genome The genome of the freshwater cnidarian Hydra, a model organism used in evo-devo research, was recently deciphered by an international group of researchers including Prof. Thomas Holstein’s group from the University of Heidelberg. The sequencing of the Hydra genome sheds light on the early evolutionary lines and the development of the complexity of multicellular animals.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/the-hydra-genome
Article - 26/04/2010 PACT Pharmaceuticals – signalling pathways and RNA interference In March 2010 PACT Pharmaceuticals the founding concept of Professor Dr. Michael Boutros team at the German Cancer Research Centre was selected as one of ten outstanding business concepts in the Science4Life business plan competition intermediary award. Around 200 business plans were originally submitted. PACT develops innovative cancer therapeutics that target the signalling pathways involved in tumour pathogenesis. PACT develops innovative…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/pact-pharmaceuticals-signalling-pathways-and-rna-interference
Press release - 23/04/2010 febit Receives European Union (EU) Patent for Synthesis of Minimal Genomes febit announced the receipt of an EU patent EP 1 728 860B1 for its technology to synthesize minimal genomes. The new patent protects febits technology for combining genes to construct a minimal functional genome or parts of it. The EU patent complements earlier patents on the synthesis of oligonucleotides for gene-assembling. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/febit-receives-european-union-eu-patent-for-synthesis-of-minimal-genomes
Press release - 23/04/2010 International Cancer Genome Project Publishes Article in Nature Information obtained in the various projects of the International Cancer Genome Consortium may soon be used to the benefit of cancer patients worldwide because the data will be freely accessible and not patentable. The project thus aims to make sure that the molecular data of the various tumor types can be used as swiftly as possible for new diagnostic methods or therapies.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/international-cancer-genome-project-publishes-article-in-nature
Press release - 20/04/2010 The ZMBH mourns the death of Heinz Schaller The Centre for Molecular Biology at the University of Heidelberg ZMBH is in mourning following the death of Prof. Dr. Heinz Schaller at the age of 78 on April 10 2010 after a short illness. Heinz Schaller was not only the driving force behind the foundation and development of the ZMBH at the University of Heidelberg he was also one of the founding fathers of molecular biological research and molecular virology in Germany. His scientific…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/the-zmbh-mourns-the-death-of-heinz-schaller
Article - 19/04/2010 Trying to get a virus to reveal its tricks The Thogoto virus is an exotic virus that presents virtually no danger to humans. A group of virologists led by Prof. Dr. Georg Kochs at the Freiburg University Medical Centre are using the virus as model system for its particular suitability in certain experiments. The group is investigating how the virus evades the antiviral defence of the infected host.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/trying-to-get-a-virus-to-reveal-its-tricks
Press release - 09/04/2010 Next-generation sequencing to advance research at the Mannheim Medical Faculty Scientists of the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology at the Mannheim Medical Faculty of the University of Heidelberg are to benefit from access to cutting-edge sequencing technology. The next-generation sequencer is the first of its kind at the University of Heidelberg.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/next-generation-sequencing-to-advance-research-at-the-mannheim-medical-faculty
Press release - 17/03/2010 Bacterial balance that keeps us healthy Scientists at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany, working within the European project MetaHIT and in collaboration with colleagues at the Beijing Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, China, established a reference gene set for the human gut microbiome – a catalogue of the microbe genes present in the human gut. Their work proves that high-throughput techniques can be used to sequence environmental samples, and…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/bacterial-balance-that-keeps-us-healthy
Article - 15/03/2010 Cornelia Ulrich: Cancer prevention through food and sports The appointment of Cornelia Ulrich as professor and head of the Departments of Preventive Oncology at the National Centre for Tumour Diseases and the German Cancer Research Centre shows that Heidelberg is expanding its research priorities in the prevention and early diagnosis of cancer. Ulrichs main focus has been on the folic acid metablism C1 compounds and inflammation.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/cornelia-ulrich-cancer-prevention-through-food-and-sports
Article - 13/03/2010 Assembling life from building blocks? As part of its “Bioethics Forum”, the German Ethics Council recently held a meeting in Berlin to inform the public about the fundamentals of synthetic biology and potential ethical problems and consequences in terms of our ideas about life and mankind in general arising from the progress made in this new field of research. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/assembling-life-from-building-blocks
Press release - 09/03/2010 Insilico: co-designer of innovative cell factory for fine chemicals A new BMBF joint project to transfer systems biology research directly into practical applications is profiting from Insilico Biotechnology’s expertise. The goal is to make Pseudomonas bacterial strains fit for commercial use in the field of industrial biocatalysis. The project will run for three years, coordinated by BASF and financed with approx. EUR 5.5 million. Insilico Biotechnology is the second partner from industry, while all others are…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/insilico-co-designer-of-innovative-cell-factory-for-fine-chemicals
Press release - 04/03/2010 New German-Austrian project for breast cancer therapy Hope for breast cancer patients under the leadership of the Vorarlberg Institute for Vascular Investigation and Treatment VIVIT a cross border cooperation is to start between hospitals and bioanalytical laboratories of the Rhine Valley and Lake Constance region. It is aimed at exploring the influence genetic material DNA has on the progression of breast cancer and the response to breast cancer treatment. A collaboration which became possible…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/new-german-austrian-project-for-breast-cancer-therapy
Press release - 16/02/2010 He Who Dares Wins – Million Euro Funding for DKFZ Researcher The European Research Council will provide funding of 2.4 million euro over the next four years to support a research project of Christof Niehrs at the German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ). Niehrs investigates the processes of reactivation of silenced genes in cells. Disruption of this mechanism can cause cancer and other diseases.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/he-who-dares-wins-million-euro-funding-for-dkfz-researcher
Article - 11/02/2010 The complexities of signal transduction Ten years ago, cellular signalling was a simple and straightforward process. Nowadays, what once seemed so simple is riddled with complexities. Dr. Tilman Brummer and his team at the Centre for Biosystems Analysis (ZBSA) in Freiburg are investigating the complex molecular interactions sparked off by signals inside cells. They are especially interested in the signalling network involving the protein Raf. Faults in the dynamic processes involving…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/the-complexities-of-signal-transduction
Press release - 04/02/2010 MicroRNA: a glimpse into the past Scientists at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory EMBL in Heidelberg Germany have discovered that microRNAs are found in the exact same tissues in animals as diverse as sea anemones worms and humans hinting at an early origin of these tissues in animal evolution. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/microrna-a-glimpse-into-the-past
Press release - 04/02/2010 Signalling pathway in cancer cells needs acid: new targets for tailor-made therapies? The Wnt signalling pathway plays an important role in embryonic development, in stem cells and also in diseases such as cancer. Some of the individual steps of this signalling pathway are not yet known in detail including in particular the mechanism by which the Wnt protein activates the Wnt receptor during binding. Scientists from the German Cancer Research Centre (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) have now made a substantial contribution…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/signalling-pathway-in-cancer-cells-needs-acid-new-targets-for-tailor-made-therapies
Press release - 02/02/2010 GATC Biotech orders Europe’s first HiSeq 2000 for commercial use GATC Biotech today announced the purchase of Illumina’s new HiSeq 2000 sequencing platform, which has officially been launched last week. This latest acquisition will further strengthen GATC Biotech’s current fleet of three GA IIx.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/gatc-biotech-orders-europe-s-first-hiseq-2000-for-commercial-use
Dossier - 01/02/2010 Metabolic diseases Metabolic diseases are characterised by disorders of the intermediary metabolism which can either be inherited or acquired. The extent and incidence of metabolic diseases can differ considerably and can range from widespread diseases such as diabetes to rare congenital diseases that frequently have a fatal outcome. Through new approaches in genome research amongst other things science and industry are increasingly focusing on metabolic diseases.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/dossier/metabolic-diseases