With funding from the German Research Foundation’s (DFG) Heisenberg Program, DKFZ researcher Aurélie Ernst aims to investigate how massive changes in the genome contribute to the development of cancer. Her research focuses on a phenomenon known as chromothripsis - a catastrophic event in the genome in which chromosomes break apart and are reassembled incorrectly.

Dossier - 08/09/2026

AI and robotics are shaping the future of medicine

Artificial intelligence and robotics are playing an increasingly important role in healthcare, as in many other areas of life. They offer considerable potential to improve medical care, but require an ethically responsible approach.

Panosome GmbH – a parasite as the basis for innovative immunotherapies - 26/08/2026

Reaching the unreachable: new approaches to challenging drug targets

Modern medicines act with remarkable precision. Antibodies, for example, recognise their molecular targets much like a key fits into its corresponding lock. However, certain targets like small molecules or carbohydrates remain difficult to target. The start-up Panosome aims to eliminate these blind spots with a novel immunotherapy platform that harnesses sophisticated masters of immune evasion: trypanosomes.

Researchers from the Medical Faculty Heidelberg, the Medical Faculty Mannheim, and the Centre for Organismal Studies at Heidelberg University have launched a new research project investigating so-called dipeptides. The consortium aims to determine which dipeptides have the strongest protective effects and how they could be harnessed in future therapies for vascular and kidney diseases.

Why do cancers develop differently in different people—even when they are exposed to the same risk factors? An international research group, including the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), has now demonstrated in mice that an organism’s genetic makeup significantly influences the course of cancer development.

Researchers at the NCT Heidelberg and the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have, for the first time, systematically determined how specific mutations promote acute myeloid leukemias. The results show why IDH1- and IDH2-mutated leukemias develop differently despite similar molecular mechanisms—and open up new approaches for diagnostics and targeted therapies.

Being overweight and obesity may contribute to significantly more cancer cases than previously thought. This is the conclusion reached by researchers at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). Their analysis shows that when more accurate measures of body fat and methodological biases are considered, more than 10 percent of all cancer cases can be attributed to increased body weight - nearly twice as many as previous estimates suggested.

In people with severely compromised immune systems, the JC polyomavirus can trigger a currently untreatable, usually fatal brain disease. Now, an international research team looking at the viral capsid has identified binding sites for neutralizing antibodies; these sites could be used to halt infection with JC polyomaviruses.

Researchers at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have identified a previously unknown key mechanism by which cancer cells suppress the immune system and thus evade the effects of immunotherapies. At the same time, the new study in mouse models and human tumor samples points to a promising way to prevent resistance to immunotherapy.

An environmental bacterium could protect against the effects of stress right through to the next generation. Evidence of this emerged in a study using a mouse model carried out by researchers from Ulm and Frankfurt, the results of which were published in the journal `Molecular Psychiatry´. According to the study, the offspring of treated mothers were better protected against the effects of stress in adulthood than control animals.

It goes without saying that new drug compounds should place as little strain on the heart as possible. But how can potential effects be reliably predicted? Researchers from the NMI, Hannover Medical School (project lead), the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, and industry partners Multi Channel Systems and Foresee Biosystems are tackling this challenge in the new HEARTCORE project.

In rare cases, cancer treatments can cause serious long-term effects. These include so-called secondary leukemias. This form of blood cancer can develop when chemotherapy or radiotherapy damages the genetic material of healthy cells. A research team led by a scientist from Ulm has now discovered a molecular protective mechanism against such genomic damage: a peptide.

Joint press release of the Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine at Heidelberg University and the German Center for Infection Research: With the FDA approval of Hepcludex (bulevirtide), a therapy for chronic hepatitis D developed at the Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine at Heidelberg University, Heidelberg University Hospital, and the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) has now reached the world’s most important pharmaceutical market.

The Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 1550 “Molecular Circuits of Heart Disease” at Heidelberg University is entering its second funding period. The German Research Foundation (DFG) has approved approximately EUR 17.4 million in funding for the next four years. The spokesperson is Johannes Backs, Professor of Experimental Cardiology at the Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine.

High blood pressure is one of the most common causes of heart attacks, strokes, kidney damage, and vascular diseases. Many people affected experience no symptoms for a long time. This is precisely why it is important to check your blood pressure regularly. To mark World Hypertension Day on May 17, the Medical Center – University of Freiburg is providing information on warning signs, diagnosis, and treatment options.

The Medical Center – University of Freiburg has implemented a new system that helps nurses identify risky situations early on and provide more targeted assistance / Motion detection is performed using radar

Whether people try to quit smoking depends heavily on public health policies in their respective countries – whether they are successful, however, depends primarily on their personal environment and behavior. This was the finding of researchers from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in an international study.

The ability of cancer cells to change their identity makes tumors such as glioblastoma particularly aggressive and resistant to treatment. Moritz Mall, of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and the Hector Institute for Translational Brain Research (HITBR), is investigating how this plasticity can be specifically restricted. His approach focuses on genetic “guardians” that suppress alternative cell programs.

The Athletin-D project combines the universities of Bochum, Freiburg, Wuppertal and the Technical University of Munich on research into how the performance and health of female athletes could be improved in Olympic and paralympic sports. At the University of Freiburg, the sports psychologist Professor Jana Strahler is studying the interaction of hormonal processes, stress, lifestyle factors and mental health.

MRI analysis of fat and muscle distribution in more than 66,000 people provides a more accurate assessment of health risks / Poor muscle quality poses an additional risk / Study provides reference values based on age, sex, and height

As the sun rises higher in the sky this spring, UV exposure increases. This should be addressed with proper sun protection. New data shows that people who work outdoors frequently are at a significantly higher risk of developing melanoma on their faces. At the same time, many affected individuals lack awareness of the risks and fail to use systematic sun protection.

This year’s Health Congress at Furtwangen University (HFU) focused on the timely topic of personalised healthcare. With the theme “Health for EVERYONE! – Successful Strategies Through personalised Healthcare,” HFU hosted the event for the 15th time in collaboration with the Black Forest-Baar Health Network, the Furtwangen University Support Association PRO HFU e.V., and the City of Furtwangen.

Digital bone twin by OSORA medical - 04/05/2026

Fractures in focus: predicting rather than waiting

Bone fractures are generally healed by the body without any issues. However, there are hundreds of thousands of cases each year in which a fracture either fails to heal or only does so slowly. To reduce the number of cases where this happens, a start-up called OSORA medical has developed methods to predict the healing process and, if necessary, make preventative adjustments.

Prof. Dr. Halbritter has served as the new Medical Director of the Department of Nephrology at the Medical Center – University of Freiburg since April 2026. With his expertise, he is enhancing care for patients with kidney disease: The goal is to prevent kidney failure through early diagnosis and the implementation of strategies to slow disease progression. For cases where kidney failure has already occurred, the focus is on organ replacement.

Brain-computer interfaces can read neural signals and influence brain activity. We spoke with Pascal Fries about how this technology can benefit people with neurological and psychiatric conditions, future developments, and his views on ethical boundaries.

A recent study published in the European Respiratory Journal provides important new insights into the early identification and monitoring of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The focus is on airway wall thickness as an imaging marker for structural remodeling processes in the lungs.

Can Aztekin and his team have discovered how oxygen-sensing explains why amphibians regenerate limbs and mammals do not.

How does sugar affect relaxation exercises? A new study carried out by researchers from the University of Konstanz provides revealing insights into the connection between blood glucose and the autonomic nervous system: The intake of sugar counteracts relaxation.

Women who have experienced a stroke or heart attack are at a higher risk of mortality than men. Fraunhofer researchers want to improve gender-specific aftercare with a customized assistance system – thus helping to prevent further heart disease.

Traumatic brain injuries often lead to complications with long-lasting consequences on memory, concentration and movement control. Detrimental secondary inflammatory reactions at the injured tissue sites are often responsible for this. Researchers from Ulm have now shown that a transcription factor plays a key role in reactions to TBI. When this gene regulator is activated, an elevated neuroimmune response promotes inflammation.

In the earliest phase of creating human proteins, the protein complex NAC performs an essential task by starting the first steps towards folding proteins into their correct three-dimensional structures. This discovery was made by an international research team led by scientists from the Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University.

Ageing is a highly individual process. An international consortium coordinated by researchers in Konstanz has developed a method that uses biomarkers to determine a person's biological age – a valuable tool for research on ageing and the development of new approaches in preventive medicine.

The introduction of mammography screening programs in Europe has significantly changed breast cancer diagnoses, accompanied by a decline in breast cancer mortality rates. This is shown by the most comprehensive analyses of population-based data on breast cancer in 21 European countries to date, led by the DKFZ. The most striking finding: after the introduction of screening, significantly more early-stage, less advanced tumors were detected.

Climate protection is health protection - 26/02/2026

Planetary health: advancing human health in the era of climate change

Heatwaves, deteriorating air quality and extreme weather events are reshaping our living conditions. The climate and environmental crisis represent one of the greatest threats to human health. Are we prepared? Adaptation strategies, heat action plans and public education are essential to protecting health in a changing climate.

New findings indicate that a shingles vaccination could not only reduce the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia, but also reduce disease progression among those living with dementia.

A severe side effect of radiation therapy can be debilitating fibrotic skin damage. Scientists at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have now identified a key factor in the development of this radiation damage. Modulating this factor could potentially prevent this severe adverse effect.

Even before a tumour in the pancreas becomes discernible, an activated cancer gene actively remodels its future environment and creates an inflammatory and immune-defensive microenvironment in which the carcinoma can grow. The scientists' study opens up new possibilities for developing personalised intervention strategies - before a difficult-to-treat tumour even develops.

A research group led by the Central Institute of Mental Health in Mannheim has confirmed for the first time within the German National Cohort an association between cigarette consumption and depression. The findings show that depression occurs more frequently over the lifetime of current and former smokers than among those who have never smoked.

How modern medical technology can prevent serious consequences of surgical procedures is demonstrated by a recent internationally recognized scientific publication. The study “Validation of conductive resin as electrode material in neuromonitoring with 3D-printed probes” under the leadership of Drs. Kiese and Bucher was awarded at the ICST Conference in Japan and highlights a medical topic that is crucial for the quality of life of many people.

The European Commission has today proposed an ambitious package of measures to improve the health of EU citizens, while ensuring the long-term resilience and competitiveness of the health sector.

When gene mutations are found in the tumor of cancer patients, it is often unclear whether they promote tumor growth or whether a targeted therapy could be effective. A research team led by the Medical Center - University of Freiburg has now compiled a catalog in which over 11,000 gene variants of a central gene family were examined and evaluated for their role in tumor growth.

Physician and cancer researcher Mirco Julian Friedrich from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the stem cell research institute HI-STEM*, and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD) has received two awards for two independent research projects: his novel approach to preventing liver metastases and his research on T cells, which he modifies to better protect them from attacks by natural killer cells.

Dossier - 20/11/2025

Prevention as the key to health

Many serious illnesses can be prevented or at least mitigated through healthy lifestyles and early diagnosis. However, effective prevention requires holistic approaches at all levels of healthcare and the reinforcement of individual health literacy.

Researchers from the German Cancer Research Center and the University of Freiburg show how certain painkillers influence the iron metabolism of liver cancer cells and can thus contribute to iron deficiency and anemia in cancer patients.

Light affects how we sleep, feel, and perform – yet public awareness of its impact remains limited. The Light for Public Health initiative aims to make evidence-based knowledge on light and health both accessible and actionable, thus turning scientific insight into public benefit.

Endometriosis, menopause, ovarian cancer – still poorly researched and often misdiagnosed. Ângela Gonçalves combines AI, molecular biology, and clinical findings to develop non-invasive tools for early detection, personalized care, and healthier aging. The scientist from the DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute is the winner of the Falling Walls Foundation's “Breakthrough of the Year 2025” award in the Women's Impact category.

Worldwide, almost one third of women of childbearing age suffer from bacterial vaginosis. Such a disorder of the vaginal flora can cause urogenital infections, abscesses on the ovaries or fallopian tubes or premature births. As part of a BW Sprint project, the DITF have laid the basis for the development of a panty liner that supports the health of the vaginal environment and can prevent bacterial vaginosis.

Ependymomas, brain tumors that occur particularly in young children, are especially difficult to treat and more than half of the children affected have an increased risk of relapse. As part of an international consortium, the KiTZ, the DKFZ, the MFHD and UKHD have received a grant of 1.5 million pounds sterling (GBP) from the British organization The Brain Tumor Charity to develop a new type of immunotherapy for ependymoma.

Developing replacement methods for animal testing is the main goal of the 3R network. One of three new 3R centres in Baden-Württemberg was launched at Ulm University at the beginning of the year and has now officially started work with a kick-off event. The abbreviation 3R stands for "Replace, Reduce, Refine", i.e. replace and reduce animal testing and improve the conditions for unavoidable animal experiments.

Researchers at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have achieved outstanding success at this year's world-leading forum for medical image processing and computer-assisted intervention. Two DKFZ departments competed in eight international AI competitions – and won seven of them. The successes cover key areas of oncology – from early detection and diagnosis to therapy support and follow-up care.