Press release - 25/04/2024 Diamond dust shines bright in Magnetic Resonance Imaging An unexpected discovery surprised a scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Stuttgart: nanometer-sized diamond particles, which were intended for a completely different purpose, shone brightly in a magnetic resonance imaging experiment – much brighter than the actual contrast agent, the heavy metal gadolinium. Could diamond dust one day become a novel contrast agent used for MRI? https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/diamond-dust-shines-bright-magnetic-resonance-imaging
Press release - 18/04/2024 Collagen: Researchers at the NMI decipher how it works in medical treatment Collagen has been used in ophthalmology since the 1990s, particularly in the treatment of corneal defects. However, why and how this technique works was only known in theory. Researchers at the NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute in Reutlingen led by Lu Fan have found the necessary evidence and can now reliably explain how this technique works.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/collagen-researchers-nmi-decipher-how-it-works-medical-treatment
Press release - 22/03/2024 Decoding the shared genetic toolkit for male sex determination Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen broke new ground by demonstrating that an HMG-box gene in brown algae is crucial for determining male sex. This breakthrough significantly expands our understanding of sex-determination mechanisms in eukaryotic organisms. Until now, master sex-determination genes had been identified in only a select number of animals and plants. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/decoding-shared-genetic-toolkit-male-sex-determination
Press release - 05/03/2024 New Center for Synthetic Genomics Applying and developing new technologies for DNA synthesis to pave the way for producing entire artificial genomes – that is the goal of a new interdisciplinary center, 'Center for Synthetic Genomics', that is being established at Heidelberg University, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU). https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/new-center-synthetic-genomics
Press release - 02/02/2024 University of Stuttgart successful with cluster draft proposals The German Research Foundation (DFG) has announced the first pivotal decisions for the "Clusters of Excellence" funding line as part of the Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state governments. The University of Stuttgart has been given the green light for two new cluster initiatives. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/universitaet-stuttgart-mit-clusterskizzen-erfolgreich
Waste recycling in the healthcare sector - 30/01/2024 Sustainability in medical technology: a particular challenge Quality and safety of medical care are top priorities in the healthcare sector. However, this is often at the expense of climate protection, as not only are energy and raw material consumption very high, but so is the amount of waste generated due to the large number of disposable products. Sustainable product design and improved recycling strategies are therefore required to reduce waste and the CO2 footprint.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/sustainability-medical-technology-particular-challenge
Event - 18/03/2024 - 20/03/2024 BioInspired Materials BioINSP 2024 Löwenstein und Online, Kongress/Symposium https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/event/bioinspired-materials-bioinsp-2024
All-enzyme hydrogels in action - 13/12/2023 Biocatalytic foams enable the sustainable synthesis of complex molecules Conventional chemical synthesis processes consume large amounts of energy and environmentally harmful solvents. Prof. Dr. Christof Niemeyer’s team at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology has generated porous, solid foams from crosslinked enzymes that allow the production of high-quality compounds under significantly more environmentally friendly conditions. The novel biocatalysts are also extremely resistant and have a long shelf life.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/biocatalytic-foams-enable-sustainable-synthesis-complex-molecules
Press release - 15/11/2023 Nanoparticles for optimized cancer therapy Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest types of cancers in humans. Chemotherapies attack not only the tumor cells but also healthy cells throughout the body. Innovative nanoparticles could be a new approach to treat cancer more precisely. The approach was developed by a research team from the Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Multidisciplinary Sciences, the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG), and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/nanopartikel-fuer-optimierte-krebstherapie
Press release - 30/10/2023 New research group: construction of tissue in laboratory An interdisciplinary research group combining mechanical engineering and biotechnology has taken up its work at the Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering and Advanced Materials (IMSEAM) of Heidelberg University. The team under the direction of Dr Kai Melde will pursue an innovative approach to biofabrication – 3D cell culture using ultrasound. Tools are being developed that can be used as an alternative to or enhancement for 3D printing. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/neue-forschungsgruppe-konstruktion-von-gewebe-im-labor
Press release - 11/10/2023 The new Center for Bionic Intelligence Tübingen Stuttgart The new Center for Bionic Intelligence Tübingen Stuttgart aims to optimize the interaction between humans and technical systems in a fundamentally new way. Scientists from the Universities of Stuttgart and Tübingen, the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems and the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics are conducting research on intelligent bionic systems that will aid understanding and treatment of certain diseases of the CNS.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/zentrum-fuer-bionic-intelligence-tuebingen-stuttgart-gegruendet
Press release - 19/09/2023 Better distinguish chronic inflammation and cancer of the pancreas Current diagnostic methods do not always reliably distinguish between chronic inflammation of the pancreas and pancreatic cancer. About one third of all diagnoses are inconclusive. Scientists from the German Cancer Research (DKFZ) and from Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD) therefore searched for molecular markers that could specify this diagnosis.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/chronische-entzuendung-und-krebs-der-bauchspeicheldruese-praeziser-unterscheiden
Sustainability report - 31/08/2023 ReKlimaMed: how effective is the German healthcare sector when it comes to sustainability? Hospitals, care facilities and the healthcare industry, together with laboratories, private practices and pharmacies, ensure our medical care, but in so doing they produce enormous amounts of greenhouse gases and consume many resources. The ReKlimaMed report prepared by the viamedica foundation presents an inventory of current sustainable activities, and provides stakeholders with information and recommendations for action.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/reklimamed-how-effective-german-healthcare-sector-when-it-comes-sustainability
DNA nanotechnology - 25/08/2023 Artificial cytoskeleton made of DNA for synthetic cells The physicists Prof. Dr. Kerstin Göpfrich and Prof. Dr. Laura Na Liu want to understand life from the bottom up. They intend to do this by constructing an artificial cell. However, rather than natural protein building blocks, they are using 3D-DNA structures as construction material. The first step involved creating an artificial cell skeleton that dynamically assembles and disassembles like the biological model and can transport vesicles.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/artificial-cytoskeleton-made-dna-synthetic-cells
Press release - 18/07/2023 National Research Center for cutting-edge AI research in Tübingen celebrates inception On Tuesday, July 18, 2023, the Tübingen AI Center held a symposium to celebrate its permanent establishment as a national AI center. Since July 1, 2022, it has received 20 million euros a year in funding from the federal government and the state. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/nationales-forschungszentrum-fuer-ki-spitzenforschung-tuebingen-feiert-seine-gruendung
Press release - 13/07/2023 Intelligent rubber materials Wearable medical devices, such as soft exoskeletons that provide support for stroke patients or controlled drug delivery patches, have to be made of materials that can adapt intelligently and autonomously to the wearer's movements and to changing environmental conditions. These are the type of autonomously switchable polymer materials that have recently been developed by researchers at the University of Stuttgart and the University of…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/intelligent-rubber-materials
Press release - 20/06/2023 Pangolin the inspiration for medical robot Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Stuttgart have developed a magnetically controlled soft medical robot with a unique, flexible structure inspired by the body of a pangolin. The robot is freely movable despite built-in hard metal components. Thus, depending on the magnetic field, it can adapt its shape to be able to move and can emit heat when needed.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/pangolin-inspiration-medical-robot
Press release - 17/05/2023 Playing hide and seek in the centromere Centromeres, the DNA sections often found at the center of the chromosomes, display enormous interspecies diversity, despite having the same vital role during cell division across almost the entire tree of life. An international team of researchers has discovered that the variation in centromere DNA regions can be strikingly large even within a single species. The findings, now published in the journal Nature, shed light on the molecular…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/playing-hide-and-seek-centromere
Press release - 09/05/2023 New strategy for clinically relevant protein sequencing Proteins have characteristic amino acid sequences, the analysis of which is fundamental for research and medicine. These can be decoded; however, so-called protein sequencing is expensive and time-consuming. A large-scale research project led by Prof. Dr. Jan Behrends from the Institute of Physiology at the University of Freiburg now aims to establish a new technology for protein sequencing using nanopores, which will be rapid and cost-effective.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/new-strategy-clinically-relevant-protein-sequencing
"Programmable" polymer materials - 24/04/2023 Medicine of the future: intelligent 4D polymers from the printer It is impossible to imagine medicine without 3D printing, which can be used to make implants or for culturing cells and tissues. It is now possible for 3D objects to be given an added dimension, namely an ability to make simple autonomous movements, by changing their size. Researchers at Heidelberg University have been able to produce microscopically small 4D structures from intelligent polymers that can be tailored to individual requirements.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/medicine-future-intelligent-4d-polymers-printer
Press release - 21/04/2023 New research building for engineering life-inspired molecular systems Heidelberg University is to acquire a research building to develop innovative engineering science strategies and technologies on the basis of life-inspired molecular systems. The German Science and Humanities Council has now expressed its backing for the idea with an outstanding rating. This recommendation is the crucial precondition for a new building on the university campus Im Neuenheimer Feld. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/new-research-building-engineering-life-inspired-molecular-systems
Press release - 23/03/2023 Targeted computer modelling to accelerate antiviral drug development Effective drugs against viral diseases like COVID-19 are urgently needed now and in the future. The emergence of viral mutants and yet unknown viruses could push vaccines to their limits. The DZIF scientist and bioinformatician Andreas Dräger from the University of Tübingen is working on a computer-based method that can help to accelerate the time-consuming identification and development of antiviral agents. Using a novel analysis technique that…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/computermodellierung-zur-schnelleren-entwicklung-antiviraler-medikamente
Press release - 31/01/2023 ERC Consolidator Grants for Two Researchers from KIT In the 2022 allocation round for the award of the prestigious Consolidator Grants of the European Research Council, researchers of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have been successful. For their projects in the fields of photovoltaics and medical sensor technology, physicist Ulrich W. Paetzold and chemist Frank Biedermann will receive approximately two million euros over the next five years.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/erc-consolidator-grants-fuer-zwei-forscher-des-kit
Press release - 24/01/2023 Controlling neural exoskeletons more precisely with diamond sensors Brain-computer interfaces are able to restore some mobility to paralyzed people by controlling exoskeletons. However, more complex control signals cannot yet be read from the head surface because conventional sensors are not sensitive enough. A collaboration of Fraunhofer IAF, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, University of Stuttgart and other industrial partners has taken up this challenge.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/mit-diamant-sensoren-neurale-exoskelette-praeziser-steuern
Press release - 09/12/2022 Epigenetic emergency switch improves defense against infections During infections, the hematopoietic system switches from normal to emergency mode. This improves the defense against the pathogens. Scientists at the German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) have now found an epigenetic switch in blood stem cells and progenitor cells of mice that can trigger the switch from one mode to the other.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/epigenetic-emergency-switch-improves-defense-against-infections
Press release - 29/11/2022 Prototype funding for two Konstanz projects Chemical building blocks from plastic waste; Reducing the risk of falls using virtual orientation aids: Konstanz chemists Manuel Häußler and Lukas Odenwald as well as sport scientist Lorenz Assländer receive Baden-Württemberg prototype funding for their transfer projects "Waste2DCA" and "Augmented Balance".https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/doppelter-erfolg-der-prototypenfoerderung
Press release - 24/11/2022 Green chemistry: BAM investigates pharmaceutical production without solvents and CO2 emissions The Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) is developing a more sustainable process to produce active pharmaceutical ingredients in a major EU project: The pilot project is intended to demonstrate the advantages of mechanochemistry for more environmentally friendly and CO2-neutral pharmaceutical production.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/gruene-chemie-bam-erforscht-arzneimittelproduktion-ohne-loesungsmittel-und-co2-ausstoss
Press release - 24/11/2022 SARS-CoV-2 detection in 30 minutes using gene scissors Researchers of the University of Freiburg introduce biosensor for the nucleic acid amplification-free detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/sars-cov-2-nachweis-30-minuten-mit-der-genschere
Press release - 15/11/2022 Silicone Sponge Captures Unknown Bacteria From human intestines to the bottom of the sea: Microorganisms populate nearly any habitat, no matter how hostile it is. Their great variety of survival strategies is of huge potential in biotechnology. Most of these organisms, however, are unknown, because they cannot be cultivated.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/silikonschwamm-spuert-unbekannte-bakterien-auf
Press release - 25/10/2022 Three ERC Synergy Grants For Universität Heidelberg Scientists Heidelberg University scientists are to receive three ERC Synergy Grants – three highly endowed grants of the European Research Council – for pioneering research projects by several teams working in collaboration.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/three-erc-synergy-grants-universitaet-heidelberg-scientists
Dossier - 12/10/2022 The health sector must become greener Worldwide, the health sector is struggling with the consequences of global warming, but fatally is itself responsible for a significant proportion of greenhouse gas emissions. Studies show that hospitals and rehabilitation clinics in particular have great potential for reducing these emissions and, like the manufacturing industry, need to fundamentally revise established processes.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/dossier/health-sector-must-become-greener
Press release - 04/10/2022 Microscopic Octopuses from a 3D Printer Although just cute little creatures at first glance, the microscopic geckos and octopuses fabricated by 3D laser printing in the molecular engineering labs at Heidelberg University could open up new opportunities in fields such as microrobotics or biomedicine. The printed microstructures are made from novel materials – known as smart polymers – whose size and mechanical properties can be tuned on demand and with high precision. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/mikroskopisch-kleine-kraken-aus-dem-3d-drucker
Press release - 06/09/2022 Biointelligent sensor for measuring viral activity Today, genome editing is almost as easy as programming software. However, the generation of viral vectors as initial material is still associated with many expensive and error-prone handling procedures. Viruses are generated via complex biological processes that have to be optimised virus-specifically in order to produce high-quality therapeutics. A new method is needed that simplifies and optimises these processes.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/Biointelligent-sensor-for-measuring-viral-activity
Biotech in outer space - 06/07/2022 yuri, a space start-up: weightlessness for commercial research Growing cells without the effect of gravity could revolutionise drug development. A start-up called yuri on Lake Constance enables made-to-measure experiments on the ISS for stem cells, artificial organs, surfaces and materials. On board the next mission are some mini-cell labs from Berlin's Charité and Goethe University Frankfurt.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/yuri-space-start-weightlessness-commercial-research
Press release - 29/06/2022 RNA modifications in mitochondria promote invasive spread of cancer Mitochondria are the power plants of cells, and they contain their own genetic material and RNA molecules. Scientists from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have now discovered that certain modifications in mitochondrial RNA boost the invasive spread of cancer cells by supporting protein synthesis in mitochondria.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/rna-modifications-mitochondria-promote-invasive-spread-cancer
Press release - 03/06/2022 Deep Learning helps improve gene therapies and antiviral drugs The nuclease Cas13b associated with the CRISPR gene scissors, which is an enzyme that degrades nucleic acids, has the potential to be used in the future in hereditary diseases to switch off unwanted genes. In the fight against infections, this nuclease is also being researched as an antiviral agent, as Cas13b can specifically intervene in the genetic material of viruses and render them harmless.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/deep-learning-helps-improve-gene-therapies-and-antiviral-drugs
Bakteriocins - 24/05/2022 New antibiotic alternatives from soil bacteria Bacteria are not the greatest of friends among themselves: many release antimicrobial substances into their environment in order to gain an advantage in their ecological niche. Researchers at the University of Ulm are making use of such bacteriocins by creating a genetically modified soil bacterium that can be used as a biotechnological platform organism to produce alternatives to antibiotics in pure form and in large quantities. The fact this…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/new-antibiotic-alternatives-soil-bacteria
Press release - 12/05/2022 New imaging method makes tiny medical robots visible in the body Microrobots have the potential to revolutionize medicine. Researchers at the Max Planck ETH Centre for Learning Systems have now developed an imaging technique that for the first time recognises cell-sized microrobots individually and at high resolution in a living organism. This is an important step towards precise control of the robots and their clinical translation.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/new-imaging-method-makes-tiny-medical-robots-visible-body
Press release - 21/03/2022 BMBF funds Heidelberg Junior Research Group for 3D Bioprinting Project Junior Professor Dr Daniela Duarte Campos has been awarded a substantial grant from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). She and her junior research group are investigating bioprinting for tissue and organ engineering at the Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University and at the “3D Matter Made to Order” Cluster of Excellence, a collaboration between Ruperto Carola and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT).https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/bmbf-funds-heidelberg-junior-research-group-3d-bioprinting-project
Elastin as artificial muscle material - 02/03/2022 Artificial muscle from proteins for diverse future applications As far as diversity and complexity are concerned, proteins are nature's smallest marvels. Biotechnologists have already used natural proteins as a basis for the development, bespoke design and production of artificial systems. This is what the livMatS cluster of excellence at the University of Freiburg has been doing. Researchers in the cluster have successfully produced an artificial muscle from elastin that functions autonomously.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/artificial-muscle-proteins-diverse-future-applications
Press release - 03/02/2022 The 5G-OR Project is a Winner of the joint Franco-German Program for the Development of innovative Applications for 5G private Networks 5G-OR is one of the 4 winning projects jointly selected by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Action in Germany and the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Relaunch in France for the call “Technical developments and application ecosystems for 5G private networks”. The joint Franco-German 5G-OR project takes up the challenge in the healthcare domain.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/5g-or-project-winner-joint-franco-german-program-development-innovative-applications-5g-private-networks
Press release - 31/01/2022 Cancer research learns from space travel Researchers use epigenetic factors to investigate the role of stress in the development of tumor diseases. Experts believe that stress plays a major role in the development of tumors. One occupational group, for example, that experiences extreme stress over a short period of time is astronauts.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/cancer-research-learns-space-travel
Press release - 28/01/2022 Artificial Muscles Made of Proteins Dr. Stefan Schiller and Dr. Matthias Huber from the University of Freiburg’s livMatS Cluster of Excellence have succeeded in developing a muscle solely on the basis of natural proteins. The autonomous contractions of the material, which the researchers presented in the journal Advanced Intelligent Systems, can be controlled with the help of pH and temperature changes.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/artificial-muscles-made-proteins
Press release - 07/12/2021 New approach developed to predict response of immunotherapies in lung cancer At Tübingen University Hospital, a preclinical study led by Dr. Clemens Hinterleitner and Prof. Dr. Lars Zender, Medical Director of Medical Oncology and Pneumology, led to extremely promising results. The research group was able to develop a new methodology that makes it possible to better predict the likelihood of success of immunotherapies for lung cancer.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/new-approach-developed-predict-response-immunotherapies-lung-cancer
Press release - 29/11/2021 Tracking down resistant cancer cells In multiple myeloma, a cancer of the bone marrow, relapse almost always occurs after treatment. Initially, most patients respond well to therapy. However, as the disease progresses, resistant cancer cells spread in the bone marrow, with fatal consequences for the patients.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/tracking-down-resistant-cancer-cells
Press release - 18/11/2021 Overcoming resistance to treatment for breast, bowel, and pancreatic cancer As cancer progresses, the tumor cells continually change, ultimately resulting in a tumor consisting of a large number of different cell clones with different characteristics. This is referred to as "tumor heterogeneity". In many cases, the cancer cells become resistant to the treatments available.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/overcoming-resistance-treatment-breast-bowel-and-pancreatic-cancer
Press release - 18/11/2021 Overcoming resistance to cancer treatment: bone and soft tissue tumors in adolescents as a model system Treatment resistance is a central problem in the treatment of cancer. Bone and soft tissue tumors – known as sarcomas – in adolescents and young adults often stop responding to treatment too. This is because cancer cells develop a large number of new characteristics as the disease progresses and often become resistant to drugs that were originally effective.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/overcoming-resistance-cancer-treatment-bone-and-soft-tissue-tumors-adolescents-model-system
Press release - 16/11/2021 Cystic fibrosis & COPD: Mucus reprograms immune cells and promotes airway inflammation Scientists of the Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC) and the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have discovered a new link between excessive airway mucus and chronic airway inflammation that is characteristic of cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The researchers showed that mucus in the airways reprograms certain cells of the immune system.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/cystic-fibrosis-copd-mucus-reprograms-immune-cells-and-promotes-airway-inflammation
Press release - 10/11/2021 Plasticizers can cause asthma and allergies Plastic products can be found everywhere in daily life, soft plastic in particular often being used for packaging or children's toys. These often contain so-called plasticizers which ensure that the material remains flexible. Because plasticizers are not bonded permanently to the plastic, they can escape from the material, meaning they can be absorbed by humans.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/plasticizers-can-cause-asthma-and-allergies
Press release - 04/11/2021 New Sensor Detects Ever Smaller Nanoparticles Nanoparticles are omnipresent in our environment: Viruses in ambient air, proteins in the body, as building blocks of new materials for electronics, or in surface coatings. Visualizing these smallest particles is a problem: They are so small that they can hardly be seen under an optical microscope.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/new-sensor-detects-ever-smaller-nanoparticles