The German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) is the largest biomedical research institute in Germany and is a member of the Helmholtz Association of National Research Centers. More than 2,200 staff members, including more than 1,000 scientists, are investigating the mechanisms of cancer and are working to identify cancer risk factors. They provide the foundations for developing novel approaches in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. This has received special recognition in 2008, when Professor Harald zur Hausen was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine for his outstanding scientific contribution to the study of human papillomaviruses (HPV). In addition, the staff of the Cancer Information Service (KID) offers information about the widespread disease of cancer for patients, their families, and the general public. The Center is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (90%) and the State of Baden-Württemberg (10%).
 Individual Prognosis Through Genetic Analysis of Brain Tumor CellsAnalysis of alterations in the genetic material of ependymomas, a relatively common type of brain tumor, enables physicians to predict disease progression more precisely. A research group headed by Dr. Stefan Pfister of the German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospitals has presented their results in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. more |
 European Research Council Awards a €1.5 Million Grant to DKFZ ScientistThe European Research Council will support Dr. Aurelio Teleman and his working group ‘Signal Transduction in Cancer and Metabolism’ with a €1.5 million grant. The money is provided as a Starting Grant by the Research Council to support the young scientist in his study of genes regulating cell growth. The goal of the funded project is to study the TOR gene, which is substantial in regulating cell growth, and its role in cancer. “We are very honored, of course, to be awarded the renowned ERC Starting Grant,” says Teleman. “We will use the money to create new positions for doctoral students in our lab and offer young researchers excellent conditions for their research.” more |
 One Million for Cancer Research: Manfred Lautenschläger Foundation supports the development of new vaccines against cancerWhen Harald zur Hausen was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2008, Manfred Lautenschläger spontaneously offered to support the Nobel laureate’s scientific work by funding a new research team. These funds will now go to Angelika Riemer, a young scientist who plans to advance the development of a vaccine which is able to cure existing infections with carcinogenic human papillomaviruses at the German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ). more |
