Press release - 28/08/2025 Inhibition of cell division induces immunoreactive peptides in cancer cells A team of scientists from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and the Netherlands Cancer Institute has discovered a previously unknown vulnerability in cancer cells: When cell division is blocked with chemotherapeutic agents such as Taxol, cancer cells produce small immunogenic peptides that could open up new avenues for immune-based cancer therapies.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/inhibition-cell-division-induces-immunoreactive-peptides-cancer-cells
Press release - 14/08/2025 Freezing brain tumor cells in a dormant state Every brain tumor is made up of cells in successive stages of activation. Researchers have now analyzed the individual structure of these activation pyramids in malignant brain tumors. In doing so, they discovered a signaling protein that slows down the transition from a dormant to an activated state by epigenetically reprogramming the cells. The hope is that this will permanently freeze cancer cells in a dormant state and thus halt tumor growth.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/freezing-brain-tumor-cells-dormant-state
Press release - 12/08/2025 Biomarkers for Brain Insulin Resistance Discovered in the Blood If the brain no longer responds properly to insulin (insulin resistance), this can lead to overweight, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. Researchers at the DZD in Potsdam and Tübingen have discovered small chemical modifications to genetic material (epigenetic changes*) in the blood that indicate how well the brain responds to insulin. These markers could help to detect insulin resistance in the brain – by means of a simple blood test.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/biomarkers-brain-insulin-resistance-discovered-blood
Press release - 11/08/2025 The Cerebral Cortex Ages Less than Thought The human brain ages less than thought and in layers – at least in the area of the cerebral cortex responsible for the sense of touch. Researchers at DZNE, the University of Magdeburg, and the Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research at the University of Tübingen come to this conclusion based on brain scans of young and older adults in addition to studies in mice. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/cerebral-cortex-ages-less-thought
Press release - 01/08/2025 In science we trust? Six takeaways from a Science and Society conference EMBL's latest Science and Society conference brought together researchers, ethicists, communicators, policy professionals, and more to discuss the thorny question of trust in science.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/science-we-trust-six-takeaways-science-and-society-conference
Press release - 24/07/2025 The origin of evil: stem cell-like cells are the reason for relapses of blood cancer in children and adolescents Stem cell-like leukemia cells are responsible for relapses in children and adolescents with a certain type of blood cancer, T-ALL. Researchers at the Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), the Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit and the German Cancer Research Center were able to show this in a study. The results could help to overcome resistance in this form of blood cancer and prevent relapses.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/origin-evil-stem-cell-cells-are-reason-relapses-blood-cancer-children-and-adolescents
Press release - 24/07/2025 What makes cells migrate – and what can stop them Konstanz researchers identify an enzyme that plays a role in the migration of cells in our body - not only during normal tissue formation and wound healing, but also when tumor cells metastasize. This makes the enzyme an interesting candidate for potential future therapeutic approaches.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/what-makes-cells-migrate-and-what-can-stop-them
Press release - 22/07/2025 Colorectal cancer in type 2 diabetes: An insightful look into the microenvironment of tumors Diabetics have a higher risk of colorectal cancer and often a poorer prognosis after developing the disease. The biological mechanisms behind this association were largely unknown. A research team at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) has now discovered that tumors with a low number of immune cells appear to be particularly susceptible to the harmful effects of diabetes. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/colorectal-cancer-type-2-diabetes-insightful-look-microenvironment-tumors
Press release - 16/07/2025 Unexpected side-effect: how common medications clear the way for pathogens Study led by the University of Tübingen: many non-antibiotics weaken the natural protective function of the intestine – with consequences for the colonization with pathogenic bacteriahttps://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/unexpected-side-effect-how-common-medications-clear-way-pathogens
Press release - 11/07/2025 Molecular arms race: How the genome defends itself against internal enemies An international research team has deciphered a mechanism of evolutionary arms race in human cells. The findings provide insights into how mobile elements in DNA hijack cellular functions – and how cells can defend themselves against this in order to prevent conditions such as tumour formation or chronic inflammation.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/molecular-arms-race-how-genome-defends-itself-against-internal-enemies
Press release - 09/07/2025 A new drug target for treating cancer and viral infections An international team of researchers led by Konstanz biologists has identified a molecular mechanism that regulates the activity of N-myristoyltransferases. This enzyme plays a role in biological signalling pathways, where dysregulation can lead to serious illness.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/new-drug-target-treating-cancer-and-viral-infections
Press release - 08/07/2025 Five million euros for research into early cancer detection Investing in a healthier future: The HORNBACH Group is supporting the new National Cancer Prevention Center in Heidelberg with a donation of five million euros. In the future, a new laboratory will conduct research into more effective early detection and screening methods.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/five-million-euros-research-early-cancer-detection
Diagnostic tool for people with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis - 17/06/2025 Chronic inflammatory bowel disease - using an app to sustainably improve everyday life Keeping appointments? Planning everyday life? For people living with chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), sudden and unpredictable flare-ups can severely limit their ability to participate in daily life. The start-up coreway aims to improve the quality of life for individuals affected by IBD by leveraging data-driven insights and contributing to the advancement of personalised medicine.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/chronic-inflammatory-bowel-disease-using-app-sustainably-improve-everyday-life
Press release - 05/06/2025 Colorectal cancer screening via smartphone? Colorectal cancer screening programs are currently underutilized in Germany. This also applies to testing for blood in the stool. The immunological stool tests can detect tiny amounts of blood in the stool. Scientists at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have investigated whether smartphone-based testing could be a meaningful alternative or supplement to traditional laboratory tests.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/colorectal-cancer-screening-smartphone
Press release - 26/05/2025 Explainable artificial intelligence increases the accuracy and endurance of dermatologists in melanoma diagnosis Scientists at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have shown in an international eye-tracking study that dermatologists not only improve their diagnostic accuracy by using explainable artificial intelligence, but also show significantly less fatigue when assessing challenging cases. The researchers were able to demonstrate this by measuring a reduction in cognitive stress indicators.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/explainable-artificial-intelligence-increases-accuracy-and-endurance-dermatologists-melanoma-diagnosis
Press release - 22/05/2025 Six Clusters of Excellence for the University of Tübingen Tübingen achieves remarkable success and has good chance of maintaining its University of Excellence title – Top research in three areas to be sustained from other sources of support.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/six-clusters-excellence-university-tubingen
Press release - 21/05/2025 How aging changes the blood system in humans and mice The reservoir of blood stem cells shrinks with age. It becomes increasingly dominated by stem cells that produce immune cells associated with chronic inflammation. Almost all of the 60-year-olds studied show this change. The new discovery could help explain the chronic inflammation that occurs with age and makes us more susceptible to disease. It could also help identify early warning signs of unhealthy aging processes.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/how-aging-changes-blood-system-humans-and-mice
Press release - 19/05/2025 How the Epstein-Barr virus promotes its spread in the body Many people are infected with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and most are unaware of it. However, EBV can sometimes cause cancer, and this pathogen also appears to play an important role in multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. Researchers have discovered that EBV increases the ability of infected immune cells to migrate. In this way, the pathogen promotes its spread in the body – a discovery that may have therapeutic implications.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/how-epstein-barr-virus-promotes-its-spread-body
Press release - 13/05/2025 Award for Outstanding Contributions to Cancer Research Dr Dr Varun Venkataramani and Dr Moritz Mall have been awarded this year’s Hella Bühler Prize for their outstanding research on the interaction between nerve and tumor cells and on tumor plasticity. The award granted by Heidelberg University goes to young researchers from the Heidelberg research location who have already drawn attention to themselves through the outstanding scientific quality of their cancer research. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/award-outstanding-contributions-cancer-research
Press release - 09/04/2025 The positive effect of paws Pets reduce the risk of stress-related disorders in city dwellers Contact with pets reduces the risk of developing stress-related disorders in adult life in urban children. This is the conclusion of a study conducted by the Section for Molecular Psychosomatic Medicine at Ulm University Hospital together with other researchers from Germany and the USA. Living with animals is said to alleviate inflammatory stress reactions. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/positive-effect-paws-pets-reduce-risk-stress-related-disorders-city-dwellers
Press release - 07/04/2025 Interdisciplinary research to provide urgently needed insecticides to combat malaria The Medical Faculty Heidelberg of Heidelberg University and Mannheim University of Applied Sciences are combining their expertise in infectious disease research, mass spectrometry, and bioinformatics to overcome resistance in malaria vectors. The project is supported by funding from the Gates Foundation.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/interdisciplinary-research-provide-urgently-needed-insecticides-combat-malaria
Press release - 28/03/2025 Quality Assurance in the Cell: Preventing Defective Protein Blueprints Two molecular control factors play a decisive role in what is known as splicing, the cutting and assembly of mature messenger RNA – a prerequisite for protein synthesis in the cell. The poorly characterized factors are crucial to ensuring that the molecular machine responsible for splicing is working correctly. A research team has deciphered how the two cellular quality inspectors work.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/quality-assurance-cell-preventing-defective-protein-blueprints
Press release - 18/03/2025 Maternal overweight as risk factor for childhood leukemia in daughters The weight of expectant mothers could play a role in the development of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in daughters – but not in sons. This has been shown by researchers at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ).https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/maternal-overweight-risk-factor-childhood-leukemia-daughters
Press release - 12/03/2025 Hepatic stellate cells control liver function and regeneration Until now, doctors knew hepatic stellate cells mainly as drivers of liver fibrosis. The actual functions have hardly been studied to date. Researchers from the German Cancer Research Center, the Mannheim Medical Faculty and Columbia University have now published that hepatic stellate cells control liver metabolism as well as liver regeneration and size. The results of the study could contribute to new therapeutic approaches for liver diseases.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/hepatic-stellate-cells-control-liver-function-and-regeneration
Press release - 28/02/2025 Early Excellence in Science Award für Ivana Winkler The Bayer Foundation's Early Excellence in Science Award 2024 in the category of Data Science goes to Ivana Winkler of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). Winkler's work uncovered the unexpected effect of female reproductive capacity: the constantly recurring remodeling of the organs of the female reproductive tract during the sexual cycle leads to fibrosis and chronic inflammation over the years.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/early-excellence-science-award-fuer-ivana-winkler