Press release - 26/06/2023 How coral reefs can survive climate change Astonishing results published from individual projects of the Tara Pacific expedition studying coral reefs – the entire dataset is made publicly available – coordinator is a biologist from the University of Konstanzhttps://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/how-coral-reefs-can-survive-climate-change
Press release - 23/06/2023 The molecular control centre of our protein factories Researchers from Konstanz and Zurich have deciphered a biochemical mechanism that ensures that newly formed proteins are processed correctly when they leave the cell's own protein factories. This solves a decade-old puzzle in protein sorting.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/molecular-control-centre-our-protein-factories
Press release - 21/06/2023 Technology Assessment: KIT Advises Bundestag for Another Five Years The Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) has been entrusted with the continued operation of the Office of Technology Assessment at the German Bundestag (TAB) in the next five years until 2028. This unanimous decision was taken by the Parliament Committee for Education, Research, and Technology Assessment during today’s meeting (June 21, 2023).https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/Technology-Assessment-KIT-Advises-Bundestag-for-Another-Five-Years
Press release - 20/06/2023 CureVac Doses First Patient in Phase 1 Study of Cancer Vaccine Candidate for Surgically Resected Glioblastoma CureVac N.V. today announced that it has dosed the first patient with its investigational cancer vaccine CVGBM in a Phase 1 study. CVGBM is based on CureVac’s proprietary second-generation mRNA backbone and features a single mRNA, encoding eight epitopes derived from known tumor-associated antigens with demonstrated relevance in glioblastoma. A first data readout is expected in the second half of 2024.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/curevac-doses-first-patient-phase-1-study-cancer-vaccine-candidate-surgically-resected-glioblastoma
Press release - 16/06/2023 What determines whether breast cancer cells can form metastases? In most cancers, it is not the growth of the primary tumor that determines the prognosis for the patient, but whether it will spread and form metastases. This process is very complex. There are often years between the development of the cancer and the aggressive growth of the metastases. Scientists from the DKFZ, the HI-STEM, the Ruhr University Bochum, Helmholtz Munich and ETH Zurich have studied and identified metastasis growth in breast cancerhttps://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/what-determines-whether-breast-cancer-cells-can-form-metastases
Innovative materials - 14/06/2023 Reinventing ‘wood’ with programmable bacteria Conserving wood by producing furniture and other objects from wood-based materials with the help of microorganisms? That is exactly what a team of researchers from the University of Freiburg and the Leibniz Institute for New Materials (INM) in Saarbrücken is working on in the DELIVER project. The aim is to create a database of materials with a broad range of controllable properties for various applications that can be produced from wood waste.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/reinventing-wood-programmable-bacteria
Press release - 05/06/2023 New findings about human metabolic processes Researchers at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Freiburg have gained significant new insights into metabolic processes in the kidney. The scientists from the Institute of Genetic Epidemiology at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg measured tiny molecules, so-called metabolites, which occur in blood and urine and reflect our metabolism, in samples from more than 5,000 study participants.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/new-findings-about-human-metabolic-processes
Press release - 30/05/2023 Light conveyed by the signal transmitting molecule sucrose controls growth of plant roots Team of Freiburg researchers shows how information about the quantity of absorbed light passes from the leaves to the roots. Plant growth is driven by light and supplied with energy through photosynthesis by green leaves. It is the same for roots that grow in the dark – they receive the products of photosynthesis, in particular sucrose, i.e. sugar, via the central transportation pathways of phloem.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/licht-steuert-das-wachstum-von-pflanzenwurzeln-vermittelt-durch-das-signalmolekuel-saccharose
Press release - 25/05/2023 Oops, did I do that – or is there someone else in my head? Tübingen researchers describe connection between action and feeling of authorship - finding sheds light on delusions of external control in schizophreniahttps://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/oops-did-i-do-or-there-someone-else-my-head
Press release - 24/05/2023 Epigenetic profiling identifies potential COPD treatment targets Impaired function of lung fibroblast is considered causative for symptoms of the incurable lung disease COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). Using high-resolution epigenetic profiling, German and British scientists have now identified potential targets for COPD treatment. The team detected early epigenetic changes in the genome of COPD fibroblasts, providing new insights into the disease pathogenesis and potential therapeutic avenues.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/epigenetic-profiling-identifies-potential-copd-treatment-targets
Press release - 23/05/2023 B cells promote liver cancer with dangerous dual strategy Inflammatory fatty liver disease (NASH, non alcoholic steatohepatitis ) and the resulting liver cancer are driven by autoaggressive T cells. Scientists from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) now show what ist behind this destructive behavior. In both mice and humans with NASH, they found increased numbers of activated B cells in the gastrointestinal tract.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/b-cells-promote-liver-cancer-dangerous-dual-strategy
Press release - 22/05/2023 How plants use sugar to produce roots Along with sugar reallocation, a basic molecular mechanism within plants controls the formation of new lateral roots. An international team of plant biologists has demonstrated that it is based on the activity of a certain factor, the target of rapamycin (TOR) protein.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/how-plants-use-sugar-produce-roots
Press release - 22/05/2023 Prevention of pandemics Volkswagen Foundation to fund international research project with around 1.5 million euros. Interdisciplinary team led by the Institute for Global Health at Heidelberg University Hospital to research the transmission of pathogens from animals to humans in Thailand and Laos. Long-term goal is to develop sustainable preventive measures against future pandemics.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/prevention-pandemics
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 - 16/05/2023 Mast cells have an important impact on the development of chronic myeloid leukemia Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a type of blood cancer that arises from malignant changes in blood-forming cells of the bone marrow. It mainly occurs in older individuals and represents about 20 percent of all adult leukemia cases. A research team from the Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research at the University of Freiburg has now demonstrated for the first time that mast cells play a crucial role in the development of CML.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/mast-cells-have-important-impact-development-chronic-myeloid-leukemia
Press release - 16/05/2023 First company in the world to offer preclinical drug tests for children with cancer The recently established ITCC-P4 gGmbH provides academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies with a comprehensive repertoire of modern laboratory models of pediatric tumors. The aim is to systematically test new treatment options for children and adolescents with cancer and to contribute data to regulatory approval processes in order to make the development of new cancer therapies for children and adolescents more attractive.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/first-company-world-offer-preclinical-drug-tests-children-cancer
Optogenetic cell analysis - 15/05/2023 opto biolabs: how frustration and inventiveness led to the establishment of a company When she found she had no suitable illumination devices for her doctoral thesis, Dr. Kathrin Brenker simply created her own customised adapters and founded a company called opto biolabs. Now, Brenker and company co-founder Luis Köbele sell two different types of devices. The main goal is to equip laboratories with illumination technologies that allow optogenetics methods to be used to accelerate development of optogenetic therapeutics.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/opto-biolabs-how-frustration-and-inventiveness-led-establishment-company
Press release - 08/05/2023 Automated detection of embryonic developmental defects Researchers at the University of Konstanz publish image analysis software that automatically detects and classifies defects of animal development. Thanks to artificial intelligence, "EmbryoNet" outperforms human experts in terms of speed, accuracy and sensitivity.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/automated-detection-embryonic-developmental-defects
Press release - 08/05/2023 CureVac Announces Dosing of First Participant in Combined Phase 1/2 Study of Multivalent, Modified Influenza Vaccine Candidates Developed in Collaboration with GSK Initial Phase 1 part started with multivalent modified mRNA influenza vaccine candidates. Candidates developed in collaboration with GSK within broad infectious disease vaccine program encode for antigens covering four WHO-recommended flu strains.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/curevac-announces-dosing-first-participant-combined-phase-12-study-multivalent-modified-influenza-vaccine-candidates-developed-c
Press release - 04/05/2023 Gamma delta T cells can fight aggressive breast cancer Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive and deadly form of breast cancer with limited treatment options. Tumor growth and relapse of TNBC are driven by breast cancer stem cells, and improved therapies that can eliminate those hardy cells are urgently needed. Researchers from the University of Frieburg discovered that coordinated differentiation and changes in the metabolism of breast cancer stem cells make them invisible for…https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/gamma-delta-t-cells-can-fight-aggressive-breast-cancer
Press release - 03/05/2023 Rapeseed makes more than just oil – it’s a source of proteins too At the Fraunhofer Center for Chemical-Biotechnological Processes CBP in Leuna, Germany, representatives from politics, research and industry opened a novel pilot plant for the mild processing of rapeseed to increase the added-value potential of rape as a raw material.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/nicht-nur-oel-auch-proteine-aus-raps
Press release - 02/05/2023 Tenure-track professorship for Soft Machines established Milana will strengthen the research of the Cluster of Excellence Living, Adaptive and Energy-autonomous Materials (livMatS) in the field and work closely with scientists from the Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies (FIT) and the Freiburg Materials Research Center (FMF).https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/tenure-track-professur-fuer-soft-machines-eingerichtet
Press release - 26/04/2023 Simply EGG-genious: Students invent edible packaging from eggshells Ready-made meals are ideal for quickly satisfying hunger. However, the quick snacks produce a lot of environmentally harmful plastic waste. To tackle this problem, the student team EDGGY from the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart rolled up its sleeves and developed edible packaging made from eggshells and other plant-based raw materials. And even better: they simply dissolve in the hot water and can be eaten as an additional protein boost. https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/Simply-EGG-genious-Students-invent-edible-packaging-from-eggshells
Press release - 24/04/2023 Hidden RNA repair mechanism discovered in humans Konstanz researchers discover the function of a previously unexplored protein: In three characteristic steps, "C12orf29" links the ends of RNA strands. Proteins that perform this kind of RNA ligation were previously unknown in humans. The results of the study suggest that it is important for RNA repair during cellular stress.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/hidden-rna-repair-mechanism-discovered-humans
Press release - 30/03/2023 Green composite material made from flax and chitosan Composite materials provide stability in aircraft parts, sports equipment, and everyday household items. However, most of these materials have a poor carbon footprint and are not naturally degradable. A more sustainable alternative has been developed by a team from the University of Stuttgart. This completely bio-based composite material is made of flax fibers and the biopolymer chitosan.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/green-composite-material-made-flax-and-chitosan