Research for a life without cancer

At the DKFZ, we want to ensure that fewer people develop cancer, that cancer can be cured or treated so effectively that those affected can live with the disease and grow old with a good quality of life.

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Latest from DKFZ

3D illustration of red and white blood cells in a blood vessel.

26. November 2025

Blood formation: Two systems with different competencies

It has only recently become known that two parallel systems of blood formation exist in the body, originating from different precursor cells. Researchers at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have developed a method to examine both systems separately in mice for the first time. Their surprising finding: the majority of immune cells do not originate from classic blood stem cells in the bone marrow, but from precursor cells that are independent of blood stem cells and are already present in the embryo. The number of these precursors decreases with age, which may explain the known decline in lymphocyte production in old age.

Ein junger Wissenschaftler in einem weißen Laborkittel lächelt freundlich. Er steht in einem modernen Labormilieu mit Regalen voller wissenschaftlicher Geräte im Hintergrund. Sein Name und die Institution sind auf einem Namensschild sichtbar.

24. November 2025

Shield against metastases and genetically protected CAR-T cells: Double honor for Mirco Julian Friedrich

Jens Puschhof is wearing a white lab coat and standing with his arms crossed, smiling in a modern, bright environment. Behind him are large windows that offer a view of the hallway.

20. November 2025

How bacteria can cause cancer: Research award for Jens Puschhof

Eine Hand hält eine weiße Pille, während die andere Hand ein Glas mit Wasser ergreift. Die Szene deutet auf die Einnahme von Medikamenten hin.

17. November 2025

How painkillers can contribute to anemia in cancer patients

Eine junge Frau mit langen, braunen Haaren steht mit verschränkten Armen vor einem weißen Hintergrund. Sie trägt eine schwarze Bluse mit einem Muster und lächelt freundlich in die Kamera.

07. November 2025

How the biological clock ticks in the female reproductive tract - Breakthrough of the Year Award 2025 for Ângela Gonçalves

Eine Person in Schutzkleidung bedient ein medizinisches Gerät, das mit verschiedenen Schläuchen und einer Steuerkonsole ausgestattet ist. Das Gerät scheint für medizinische Anwendungen konzipiert zu sein, möglicherweise zur Infusion oder Patientenüberwachung.

04. November 2025

Brain Tumor Charity supports immunotherapy for childhood brain tumors with 1.5 million pounds sterling

Ein Mann mit Brille trägt einen weißen Laborkittel und schaut direkt in die Kamera. Im Hintergrund sind unscharfe Laborelemente zu sehen. Der Ausdruck auf seinem Gesicht wirkt konzentriert und professionell.

03. November 2025

How immune cells become accomplices of tumors - Langener Wissenschaftspreis awarded to DKFZ researcher Daniel Kirschenbaum

Das Bild zeigt eine chirurgische Ansicht des Gallenbereichs, mit verschiedenen anatomischen Strukturen farblich markiert: die cystische Platte, das Calot-Dreieck, die cystische Arterie und den cystischen Gang. Diese Bezeichnungen helfen, die relevanten Bereiche während eines chirurgischen Eingriffs zu identifizieren.

28. October 2025

AI solutions from the DKFZ set new standards in medical image processing

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Apply now for the International PhD Program

Are you looking for excellent research opportunities for your PhD studies at the forefront of basic, epidemiological, computational or translational Cancer Research? Join our more than 500 PhD students at the German Cancer Research Center to unravel the causes of cancer development and develop novel tools for diagnosis, treatment and prevention!

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Our research opens doors in the fight against cancer

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Our research topics

Cell and Tumor Biology

Everything about the topic Cell and Tumor Biology
Functional and Structural Genomics

Everything about the topic Functional and Structural Genomics
Cancer Risk Factors and Prevention

Everything about the topic Cancer Risk Factors and Prevention
Immunology, Infection and Cancer

Everything about the topic Immunology, Infection and Cancer
Imaging and Radiooncology

Everything about the topic Imaging and Radiooncology

To the research topics

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Research for a life without cancer

Latest from DKFZ

Apply now for the International PhD Program

Our research opens doors in the fight against cancer

Our research topi­cs

Cell and Tumor Biology

Functional and Structural Genomics

Cancer Risk Factors and Prevention

Immunology, Infection and Cancer

Imaging and Radiooncology