Article - 29/05/2012 Intestinal bacteria and human gut types The type of bacteria that colonize the human gut does not just influence our digestion and well-being. Metagenome sequencing has provided an international consortium involving scientists from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory at the University Hospital of Heidelberg with evidence that certain individuals have different gut types with different types of bacteria. Such individuals not only differ in their predisposition to disease, but also…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/intestinal-bacteria-and-human-gut-types
Article - 21/05/2012 Kathrin Thedieck – the art of deciphering signalling The molecule mTOR is one of the most important cellular switch centres it controls cellular growth in relation to the availability of nutrients and also plays a key role in the pathogenesis of cancer neurodegenerative diseases and ageing. Dr. Kathrin Thedieck from the Institute of Biology III at the University of Freiburg is interested in solving the question as to how insulin growth factors or nutrients such as amino acids influence the complex…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/kathrin-thedieck-the-art-of-deciphering-signalling
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 Vascular grafts: biomolecules to prevent blood vessels from reclosing Obstructed blood vessels can be operated on and adequate blood flow restored. However, stents and bypasses are often subject to high reclosure rates. Excessive immune reactions close to where the intervention took place might prevent the regeneration of adjacent vessel walls and even lead to reclosure. New interventions involving RNA interference seem to be a way out of this dilemma.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/vascular-grafts-biomolecules-to-prevent-blood-vessels-from-reclosing
Article - 26/03/2012 More public attention for exotic diseases - Part 2 An international conference on rare diseases was held in Freiburg Germany in February 2012 where BIOPRO talked with Prof. Dr. Bodo Grimbacher director of the Centre of Chronic Immunodeficiency CCI in Freiburg and Prof. Dr. Maximilian Muenke paediatrician and human geneticist from the National Human Genome Research Institute NHGRI in the USA. Between them the two experts have a great deal of experience in rare diseases amongst other areas. Read in…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/more-public-attention-for-exotic-diseases-part-2
Press release - 14/03/2012 How a natural antibiotic found in sweat affects microorganisms The skin creates a barrier between the body and its environment. Natural antibiotics that can kill potential pathogens such as bacteria or fungi represent an additional level of protection by the immune system. Dermcidin one such antibiotic produced in human sweat glands is active against a number of microorganisms on the skin. A team of scientists from the University Hospital Tübingen and the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology were…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/how-a-natural-antibiotic-found-in-sweat-affects-microorganisms
Article - 20/02/2012 Klaus Pfizenmaier: bridging the fields between immunology and biomedicine Prof. Dr. Klaus Pfizenmaier has been focusing on cytokines, and in particular on the tumour necrosis factor TNF, for the last 25 years. Pfizenmaier and his team of researchers at the Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology at the University of Stuttgart have unravelled numerous facets of TNF, which is a key and versatile signalling molecule. These discoveries have led to the development of groundbreaking therapy concepts and drug candidates for…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/klaus-pfizenmaier-bridging-the-fields-between-immunology-and-biomedicine
Article - 16/01/2012 Alexander Titz: molecular design to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa has become an important cause of infection, and is often picked up in hospitals, especially by patients with weakened immune systems. It can cause respiratory and urinary tract infections, as well as lead to infections on implants and wounds. P. aeruginosa lives in a gel-like matrix, a so-called biofilm that is highly resistant to antibiotics, making it very difficult to eradicate. Dr. Alexander Titz and his team at the…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/alexander-titz-molecular-design-to-combat-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria
Article - 09/01/2012 Nutritional medicine: Can certain foods help treat cancer? Researchers at the Centre for Nutritional Medicine (ZEM), a joint institution of the Universities of Hohenheim and Tübingen, are investigating whether and to what extent certain food components can support the treatment of cancer and are hoping to derive scientifically founded dietary recommendations from their findings.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/nutritional-medicine-can-certain-foods-help-treat-cancer
Article - 19/12/2011 Gundram Jung – a pioneer in antibody-mediated cancer immunotherapy Physicist, medical doctor, researcher and now also a founder of a company – Professor Dr. Gundram Jung’s career has never gone in a completely straight line although his goal has always been the same: to develop innovative immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer. Jung’s genetically modified antitumour antibodies are now close to clinical application. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/gundram-jung-a-pioneer-in-antibody-mediated-cancer-immunotherapy
Article - 12/12/2011 Rheumatoid arthritis biomarkers A plethora of biomarkers is available for the early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and associated tissue damage and disorders. In addition, new biomarkers that improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients suffering from this common destructive autoimmune disease are constantly being discovered.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/rheumatoid-arthritis-biomarkers
Article - 12/12/2011 The detection of inflammation in “single-use laboratories“ Depression, rheumatism, sickle cell anaemia – elevated levels of substance P in blood plasma might be an alarm signal. The molecule plays an important role in generating an inflammatory response. Commercially available tests involving microtitre plates are time-consuming and expensive. Dr. Hüseyin Bakirci and his team from the Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK) at the University of Freiburg have developed a chip the size of a…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/the-detection-of-inflammation-in-single-use-laboratories
Press release - 30/11/2011 Researchers are challenging a common model of immunology Up to now, scientists have assumed that mast cells, a certain type of immune cells, play a central role in the development of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Current studies conducted at the German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) have now provided evidence to refute this assumption. Now it is only the mast cells’ central function in allergies that remains undisputed.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/researchers-are-challenging-a-common-model-of-immunology
Article - 28/11/2011 Oliver Schilling – the function of proteases in molecular processes The biologist Dr. Oliver Schilling from the University of Freiburg has co-developed methods that improve our understanding of the function of proteases in molecular processes. His research group is currently investigating cellular processes that are regulated by these proteolytic enzymes and looking into issues such as the key role they play in tumour development.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/oliver-schilling-the-function-of-proteases-in-molecular-processes
Article - 20/11/2011 Can probiotic lactic acid bacteria protect the intestines against pathogens? Nutrition scientists from the Max Rubner-Institut MRI in Karlsruhe are investigating how human pathogens and probiotic bacterial strains interact with each other in the human gastrointestinal tract. Are probiotic bacteria in yoghurt or in pickled vegetables for example able to reduce the health risk posed by pathogenic bacteria?https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/can-probiotic-lactic-acid-bacteria-protect-the-intestines-against-pathogens
Article - 14/11/2011 Marina Freudenberg and Chris Galanos – more than 40 years of bacterial defence research This years Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology was awarded to three renowned scientists one of whom is the American Bruce Beutler who was instrumental in clarifying the structure of the mammalian Toll-like 4 TLR4 receptor. Prof. Dr. med. Marina Freudenberg and Dr. Dr. h.c. Chris Galanos from the Freiburg-based Max Planck Institute MPI of Immunobiology and Epigenetics have co-authored the key publication that led to the award of the Nobel Prize…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/marina-freudenberg-and-chris-galanos-more-than-40-years-of-bacterial-defence-research
Article - 17/10/2011 Papillomaviruses as cancer-causing agents and how they can be fought off Studies presented at the recent International Papillomavirus Conference in Berlin demonstrate that vaccination can prevent infection with the types of HPV that cause the majority of cervical cancers. New improved vaccines to prevent HPV infections as well as therapeutic vaccines that are effective in people that are already infected are currently being developed. In addition, research has shown that other cancers can also be caused by infective…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/papillomaviruses-as-cancer-causing-agents-and-how-they-can-be-fought-off
Press release - 12/10/2011 Autoimmune Diseases Affect Cancer Risk In a recently published study, scientists of the German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) have calculated the interrelations between autoimmune diseases and cancer of the digestive tract. They discovered that many autoimmune diseases increase the cancer risk, while others, such as rheumatism, are associated with a significantly lower bowel cancer risk. These differing impacts on cancer risk may be attributable to the…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/autoimmune-diseases-affect-cancer-risk
Press release - 12/10/2011 Dioxin-like Chemical Messenger Makes Brain Tumors More Aggressive Scientists from German Cancer Research Center and Heidelberg University have discovered a new dioxin receptor-coupled metabolic pathway which weakens the immune system and promotes the growth of malignant gliomas. Glioma is the most frequent and most malignant brain tumor in adults. In Germany, about 4,500 people are newly diagnosed with glioma every year.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/dioxin-like-chemical-messenger-makes-brain-tumors-more-aggressive
Press release - 03/10/2011 Astonishing discovery: iron-overloading of macrophages is the cause of venous leg ulcers Around three to five per cent of people in industrial nations suffer from chronic venous leg ulcers. Elderly people are particularly prone to developing these chronic wounds. A dermatologist from Ulm has now discovered the reason why chronic venous leg ulcers fail to heal even after months or years. The scientific community is astonished by the new findings.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/astonishing-discovery-iron-overloading-of-macrophages-is-the-cause-of-venous-leg-ulcers
Article - 29/08/2011 Ute Schepers – the therapeutic potential of small RNAs and molecular transporters Small RNAs can specifically interfere with cellular mechanisms; or more precisely, with the cells’ protein biosynthesis machinery. Scientists have therefore decided to exploit this potential by using small RNAs against cancer cells or cells damaged in other ways. But the question arises as to how the small RNAs can reach the site where their role is to prevent the generation of dangerous proteins. Dr. Ute Schepers and her team from the Karlsruhe…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/ute-schepers-the-therapeutic-potential-of-small-rnas-and-molecular-transporters
Press release - 26/05/2011 High Scientific Level at the Second International Workshop about Drug-Drug Interactions The organisation team of the Second International DDI drug-drug interactions Workshop has expressed great satisfaction with the course of the scientific meeting. Thus the DDI Workshop at Marbach Castle is on its way to become an established platform for the annual exchange between experts scientists members of the industry and regulatory bodies regarding DDI affairs.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/high-scientific-level-at-the-second-international-workshop-about-drug-drug-interactions
Press release - 23/05/2011 Interactive exhibition on health opened on Mainau Island Can neurons grow together again? Is the immune system able to combat cancer? Can a chip help blind people regain their sight? As part of the “Science in Dialogue” (Wissenschaft im Dialog) initiative, the “Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings” foundation has organised an exhibition on health-related topics that will be open to visitors until 4th September 2011. BIOPRO Baden-Württemberg is in pavilion 11 presenting three exciting research topics from…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/interactive-exhibition-on-health-opened-on-mainau-island
Press release - 21/04/2011 Gut bacteria could help with diagnostics and influence treatments In the future, when you walk into a doctor’s surgery or hospital, you could be asked not just about your allergies and blood group, but also about your gut type. Scientists at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany, and collaborators in the international MetaHIT consortium, have found that humans have three different gut types.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/gut-bacteria-could-help-with-diagnostics-and-influence-treatments
Article - 04/04/2011 FreiBiotics GmbH – new drugs against resistant bacteria Bacteria adapt quickly to their environment and also to antibiotics. Many of the antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections have become ineffective as a great many bacteria have become resistant to them. Freiburg-based FreiBiotics GmbH is looking for completely new classes of antimicrobial substances. A screening method that has been developed over the last few years based on biosensors makes the identification of new substance classes more…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/freibiotics-gmbh-new-drugs-against-resistant-bacteria