GERMAN CANCER RESEARCH CENTER, DKFZ

Cancer, with over 450,000 new cases diagnosed and 270,000 deaths each year, is one of the most dreaded diseases and the second most frequent cause of death in Germany. More than almost any other disease, cancer poses tremendous challenges for research and clinical practice. Practically every organ can be affected, every type of cancer has its own rules, and the underlying changes in affected cells are extremely complex. In order to develop novel, more effective methods of diagnosis and treatment, we first need to understand the basic mechanisms of cancer. In recent years, researchers at the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg have achieved major advances both in basic research and in the development of novel methods for clinical application. 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).

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 2,000 staff members, including 850 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. 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%).

For more information, please visit our website www.dkfz.de.

NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE, NCI

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is one of 11 agencies that compose the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The NCI, established under the National Cancer Institute Act of 1937, is the Federal Government's principal agency for cancer research and training. The National Cancer Act of 1971 broadened the scope and responsibilities of the NCI and created the National Cancer Program. Over the years, legislative amendments have maintained the NCI authorities and responsibilities and added new information dissemination mandates as well as a requirement to assess the incorporation of state-of-the-art cancer treatments into clinical practice.

The National Cancer Institute coordinates the National Cancer Program, which conducts and supports research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs with respect to the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer, rehabilitation from cancer, and the continuing care of cancer patients and the families of cancer patients.

For more information, please visit our website www.cancer.gov.

THE GERMAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES LEOPOLDINA

The German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina is the world’s oldest academy involved in natural sciences. It was founded in 1652 in the Free Imperial City of Schweinfurt. Since 1878, it has been seated in Halle on the Saale river. The Leopoldina was appointed Germany's National Academy of Sciences in July 2008. Scientists are elected members who represent subject areas corresponding to the Leopoldina’s section structure and who have distinguished themselves by demonstrating academic excellence.

The Leopoldina organizes scientific events, all of which are open to the public and the proceedings of which are published. It drafts evidence-based recommendations concerning matters of social and political relevance, which are submitted to an interested public and to political decision-makers. The Leopoldina also publishes printed material and maintains a library and an archive.

For more information, please visit our website http://www.leopoldina.org/en/home.html

SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZERS

Joe Harford, NCI
Ron McKay, LIBD
Andreas Trumpp, DKFZ
Otmar D. Wiestler, DKFZ

ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZERS

Jana Grünewald, DKFZ
Dagmar Jarek, DKFZ
Renate Kim, DKFZ

Email: SCC2012@dkfz-heidelberg.de