Research

Scientists have shown how the edges of biological tissues create geometric constraints that help cells position themselves in a magnet-like manner, giving rise to structure and order inside developing embryos Summary One of the most striking biological transitions in nature happens early in development, when an embryo transforms from a simple ball of cells into […]

EMBL Grenoble researchers have developed unique instruments automating sample preparation and quality control for cryo-electron microscopy Summary Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) can help scientists determine the three-dimensional structure of proteins in unprecedented detail. Jacques Dubochet, former Group Leader at EMBL, shared the 2017 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Joachim Frank and Richard Henderson for the development […]

A team led by researchers from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and the HI-STEM* Stem Cell Institute has discovered a promising new approach to treating advanced colorectal cancer. The study, published in Nature, identifies a key marker of particularly aggressive and treatment-resistant colorectal cancer cells. At the same time, the researchers demonstrate using mini-tumors […]

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. In […]

Primary CNS lymphomas in immunocompromised patients are among the rarest and at the same time most aggressive cancers – yet evidence-based recommendations for their diagnosis and treatment have been lacking. An international research team led by the Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine at Heidelberg University and the German Cancer Research Center has now identified characteristic imaging […]

A study recently published in *The Lancet Regional Health – Europe* calls into question the benefits of immunoadsorption—a specialized form of blood purification—for post-COVID syndrome. While the autoantibodies, which are thought to be a possible cause of the condition, can be removed from the blood, this does not improve the symptoms of those affected. The […]

Colorectal cancer is generally considered a disease of older adults. However, a new analysis of German cancer registries shows that the number of new colorectal cancer cases among younger adults has risen slightly over the past two decades. Those most affected are people between the ages of 20 and 39. The findings are based on […]

The health status of children admitted to the hospital after a mild traumatic brain injury must be closely monitored. The two project partners have developed a robot that can assist staff with routine health checks on these patients. Full text in German below. Fraunhofer IPA und LMU Klinikum präsentieren robotisches Assistenzsystem für die Kindermedizin Pressemitteilung […]

Gelatin is a versatile natural material. To tailor its properties specifically to the requirements of various applications in medicine, diagnostics, and cosmetics, the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB has developed a toolbox for chemical functionalization. With the help of automated processes, the modifications can now be scaled under defined conditions, and reproducible […]