If the development of blood vessels in the placenta is impaired, fetal growth retardation may result. Scientists from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and the Mannheim Medical Faculty of Heidelberg University discovered that the correct development of functioning blood vessels in the mouse placenta is controlled epigenetically: One of the enzymes that modify gene activity using methyl groups is responsible.
https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/epigenetics-ensures-placenta-functioningScientists at the University of Stuttgart have succeeded in controlling the structure and function of biological membranes with the help of "DNA origami". The system they developed may facilitate the transportation of large therapeutic loads into cells. This opens up a new way for the targeted administration of medication and other therapeutic interventions.
https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/new-tool-synthetic-biologyPlasters or wound dressings can only perform their intended function if they adhere securely to the skin. However, they are often painful to remove, and in some cases, damage delicate newly formed tissue. Researchers at the University of Freiburg have developed an innovative polymer that adheres reliably at body temperature but can be easily and painlessly removed, leaving no residue, after being cooled.
https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/thermoresponsive-adhesive-pain-free-removal-wound-dressingsA new family of protein-based antagonists has been created by researchers that efficiently block the granulocyte-colony stimulating factor receptor (G-CSFR), which is essential for the development of leukaemia and other inflammatory illnesses. This groundbreaking work paves the way for targeted therapies that could revolutionise treatment options for patients suffering from these conditions.
https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/revolutionising-cancer-therapy-protein-designA research team from Freiburg and Frankfurt has discovered how cells recognise and internally break down waste. The results are relevant for the development of therapies for diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/researchers-have-better-understanding-how-our-cells-dispose-waste-while-developing-ways-control-itTumor cells circulating in the blood are the "germ cells" of breast cancer metastases. They are rare and could not be propagated in the culture dish until now, which made research into therapy resistance difficult. A team from the DKFZ, the Heidelberg Stem Cell Institute HI-STEM and the NCT Heidelberg has now succeeded for the first time in cultivating stable tumor organoids directly from blood samples of breast cancer patients.
https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/new-approaches-against-metastatic-breast-cancer-mini-tumors-circulating-cancer-cellsAntibodies can improve the rehabilitation of people with acute spinal cord injury. Researchers at 13 clinics in Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Spain have investigated this with promising results. For the first time, it was possible to identify patient groups that displayed a clinically relevant treatment effect. A follow-up study will start in December 2024.
https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/antibody-neutralizes-inhibitory-factors-involved-nerve-regeneration-leads-enhanced-motor-function-after-acute-spinal-cord-injurySince Brexit, additional regulations for medical devices have come into effect in Great Britain, i.e. England, Wales and Scotland. Although the transition periods have been extended, medical device manufacturers should familiarise themselves with the new conformity marking requirements. EU medical device regulations will continue to apply in Northern Ireland.
https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/new-medical-device-marking-requirements-and-regulations-great-britainFor 22 years, Prof. Dr. Ralf Kindervater has been the Managing Director of BIOPRO Baden-Württemberg, the state agency that provides expertise to politics and state institutions in the fields of the healthcare industry, biotechnology, medical technology and the pharmaceutical industry. On January 1, 2025, he will hand over the reins to Dr. Barbara Jonischkeit and Dr. Claudia Luther.
https://www.bio-pro.de/en/information/press-release/wechsel-der-spitze-der-biopro-baden-wuerttembergNatural phenomena are used to find technological solutions in a number of fields. In an interview with BIOPRO, Prof. Dr. Peter M. Kunz discusses groundbreaking innovations emerging from Baden-Württemberg and shares insights on how the principles of bionics can inspire the next generation of innovators.
https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/learning-nature-innovationUp to now, schizophrenia has mainly been treated symptomatically, as little is known about the exact underlying processes. Researchers at the NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute in Reutlingen have succeeded in gaining a better understanding of the driving mechanisms of the disease. This offers opportunities for the development of new drugs. They have published their findings in the journal BMC Psychiatry.
https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/schizophrenia-nmi-observes-processes-nerve-cellsThe Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz-Prize 2025 goes to Prof. Dr Robert Zeiser for his outstanding research in haematology and immunology. Zeiser’s research at the University of Freiburg and the Medical Center – University of Freiburg have led, among other things, to new types of cancer therapy that has increased survival rates and the patients’ quality of life.
https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/top-german-research-prize-goes-freiburg-cancer-researcherIn cases where standard therapies for mental illnesses such as depression prove ineffective, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) offers a promising alternative. This method uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific regions of the brain. The company sync2brain has developed a system that leverages EEG measurements to tailor stimulation to each patient's unique brain wave patterns, that may significantly enhance the therapy's…
https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/sync2brain-using-magnetic-waves-combat-depressionResearchers at the Medical Faculty of Heidelberg University and the Heidelberg University Hospital have used modified rabies viruses to label glioblastoma tumour cells and their direct cell contacts in the mouse brain. The new method showed that the tumour cells are connected to different types of nerve cells throughout the entire brain at a very early stage of the disease.
https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/brain-tumour-cells-rapidly-integrate-brain-wide-neuronal-circuitsFarewell to animal testing? Life sciences researchers in BW are pioneering innovative methods to replace animal experiments, reduce the number of animals used and refine the procedures and conditions under which animals are kept. These are the guiding principles of the 3Rs principle. Developing cutting-edge models and establishing a robust 3R network, not only shapes the future of research but also improves the quality of scientific outcomes.
https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/dossier/mini-organs-and-multi-organ-chips-where-lab-mice-may-soon-retireThe NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have signed a groundbreaking cooperation agreement. This partnership combines the expertise of both institutions in the fields of production and characterization of materials for biological systems and energy storage as well as the application of statistical methods in medicine.
https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/joint-research-key-technologies-nmi-and-kit-sign-cooperation-agreementCertain types of cancer are already being effectively treated using immunotherapies, though success rates can vary significantly between patients. Researchers from the Natural and Medical Sciences Institute (NMI) in Reutlingen, along with colleagues at the University of Tübingen, are working on a diagnostic approach to accompany therapy, which would rapidly assess whether the treatment is effective or requires adjustment.
https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/immuneadvice-develops-diagnostics-predict-efficacy-immunotherapies